perk
1[ purk ]
/ pɜrk /
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
11350–1400; Middle English perken; perhaps akin to peer2
OTHER WORDS FROM perk
perk·ing·ly, adverbperkish, adjectiveDefinition 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
21930–35, Americanism; by shortening and respelling of percolate
Definition for perk (3 of 3)
Also perc .
Origin of perk
3First recorded in 1815–25; by shortening and respelling
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for perk
British Dictionary definitions for perk (1 of 3)
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)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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