perky

[pur-kee]

adjective

perkier, perkiest 

1. jaunty; cheerful; brisk; pert.

perky

/ ˈpɜːkɪ /

adjective

1. jaunty; lively

2. confident; spirited

Other Word Forms

• perkily adverb
• perkiness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of perky¹

First recorded in 1850–55; perk ¹ + -y ¹

Example Sentences

Whenever a human walked by they’d say, “Have a nice day!” in a perky voice.

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Michelle is fluent in the perky command, the passive voice, the slippery non-apology, the kind of language that frames cruelty as blameless happenstance.

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She dreamed of looking like perky, platinum blond Doris Day.

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The other park, not far up the coast, was as perky and clean-cut as a barbershop quartet, painted the colors of sand and sky, with shipshape and jaunty ocean-inspired adventures, and zippy, futuristic, razzle-dazzle rides.

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As for women, Jessica remembers a character description calling for a woman with “perky t— and a flat stomach.”

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Related Words

• bouncy 
• bright 
• bubbly 
• cheerful 
• cheery 
• jaunty 
• lively 
• sunny