pert

¹ American  

[purt] / pɜrt /

adjective

perter, pertest

1. boldly forward in speech or behavior; impertinent; saucy.

   Synonyms:

   impudent, presumptuous

2. jaunty and stylish; chic; natty.

3. lively; sprightly; in good health.

4. Obsolete. clever.

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PERT ² American  

[purt] / pɜrt /

noun

1. a management method of controlling and analyzing a system or program using periodic time and money reports, often computer generated, to determine dollar and labor status at any given time.

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pert. ³ American  

abbreviation

1. pertaining.

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pert ¹ British  

/ pɜːt /

adjective

1. saucy, impudent, or forward

2. jaunty

   a pert little hat

3. obsolete clever or brisk

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PERT ² British  

/ pɜːt /

acronym

1. programme evaluation and review technique

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Other Word Forms

• pertly adverb
• pertness noun

Etymology

Origin of pert¹

1200–50; Middle English, aphetic variant of apert < Old French < Latin apertus open (past participle of aperīre; aperient ); in Middle English and Old French, influenced by Old French aspert < Latin expertus expert

Origin of PERT²

P(rogram) E(valuation and) R(eview) T(echnique)

Example Sentences

She gestured to show what she meant: two legs instead of four, pert noses, a telltale lack of little curly tails.

From Literature

Even as Lady Constance gazed upward, a leaf landed on her pert, doll-like nose.

From Literature

I actually prefer cabbage raw — preferably red — very, very thinly sliced and tossed with a pert vinaigrette and some sort of braised, crispy protein, but cooked cabbage is a staple for a good reason.

From Salon

She makes precise choices in pert, clever sentences.

From New York Times

Molly Irelan’s costumes, with period cuts, vivid fabrics and sparkling touches, further the opera’s mood of pert pastiche.

From New York Times