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perk

1
[ purk ]
/ pɜrk /
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See synonyms for: perk / perked / perker / perkest on Thesaurus.com

verb (used without object)
to become lively, cheerful, or vigorous, as after depression or sickness (usually followed by up): The patients all perked up when we played the piano for them.
to act, or carry oneself, in a jaunty manner.
to put oneself forward briskly or presumptuously.
verb (used with object)
to make smart, trim, or jaunty (sometimes followed by up or out): to perk up a suit with a new white blouse.
to raise smartly or briskly (often followed by up or out): to perk one's head up.
adjective
perky; jaunty: a perk manner.
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Origin of perk

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English perken “(of a bird) to perch on a tree”; akin to perch1

OTHER WORDS FROM perk

perk·ing·ly, adverbperkish, adjective

Other definitions for perk (2 of 3)

perk2
[ purk ]
/ pɜrk /

verb (used with or without object) Informal.
to percolate: Has the coffee perked yet? The research team is perking with new ideas.

Origin of perk

2
An Americanism dating back to 1920–25; by shortening and respelling

Other definitions for perk (3 of 3)

perk3
[ purk ]
/ pɜrk /

noun Informal.
Also perc .

Origin of perk

3
First recorded in 1865–70; by shortening and respelling
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use perk in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for perk (1 of 3)

perk1
/ (pɜːk) /

adjective
pert; brisk; lively
verb

Word Origin for perk

C16: see perk up

British Dictionary definitions for perk (2 of 3)

perk2
/ (pɜːk) /

verb informal
(intr) (of coffee) to percolate
(tr) to percolate (coffee)

British Dictionary definitions for perk (3 of 3)

perk3
/ (pɜːk) /

noun
British informal short for perquisite
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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