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• pert
  pert

  adjective

  boldly forward in speech or behavior; impertinent; saucy.
• PERT
  PERT

  noun

  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.
• pert.
  pert.

  abbreviation

  pertaining.

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; see 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)

Explanation

This sassy little adjective pert is lively and bold, like your pert best friend who storms in and demands to borrow your favorite jacket. Although pert is found inside its synonym impertinent, "rudely bold," pert can also mean stylish, like that pert fedora cocked at a jaunty angle. Someone healthy and bright-eyed is pert, too. You might be pert after a strong cup of coffee and a pep talk, or after a visit from the celebrity stylist. Although pert has been around since the 1300s — from Middle English, “unconcealed, bold” — it is also the name of a shampoo that embraces all shades of meaning of this four-letter word.

Example Sentences

There are other forms of Pert, but the charities and medical experts say while other countries have many brands available, in the UK creon "holds a very high market share".

From BBC • Feb. 27, 2025

Pert little Melanie had been abandoned at one of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals’ community veterinary clinics.

From Seattle Times • May 7, 2023

Pert heirloom tomatoes, marbled purple eggplant and a bowl of okra fill the middle of the frame.

From Washington Post • Dec. 8, 2022

“We stepped in to prevent a potential catastrophe,” recalled Ed Pert, a spokesman for the Department of Fish and Wildlife.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 26, 2022

"And now, Pert," he said, solicitously, "it's too cold for you to stay out here longer; come, we must be brave, and say good-bye."

From Checkers A Hard-luck Story by Blossom, Henry M.