perk up
phrasal verb
perked up; perking up; perks up
informal
1
: to become more lively or cheerful or to make (someone) more lively or cheerful
We perked up when we heard the good news.
The good news perked everyone up.
2
: to make (something) fresher or more appealing
The new paint job really perked up the room.
3
chiefly US, of an animal's ears
: to be lifted in a quick and alert way
The dog's ears perked up.
—often used figuratively of a personMy ears perked up when I heard my name mentioned.
Examples of perk up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Race to the next hot thing The small-cap Russell 2000 is perking up and just broke above a six-month downtrend last week.
—
Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 June 2025
When Walter perks up and invites him to join them at a restaurant in a few days, Stan accepts.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 June 2025
The director’s large and devoted following is welcome as independent films have generally struggled post Covid and the 2025 indie box office only recently perked up from a long post-holiday lull.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 May 2025
Block offers temporary relief, creates more chaos However, while markets perked up following the ruling, there is likely to be little long-term relief, as nobody expects Trump to back down from his tariff tactics.
—Ashley Belanger – May 29, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for perk up
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Michael Santoli, CNBC, 9 June 2025
When Walter perks up and invites him to join them at a restaurant in a few days, Stan accepts.
—Pete Hammond, Deadline, 7 June 2025
The director’s large and devoted following is welcome as independent films have generally struggled post Covid and the 2025 indie box office only recently perked up from a long post-holiday lull.
—Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 30 May 2025
Block offers temporary relief, creates more chaos However, while markets perked up following the ruling, there is likely to be little long-term relief, as nobody expects Trump to back down from his tariff tactics.
—Ashley Belanger – May 29, ArsTechnica, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for perk up
Cite this Entry
“Perk up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perk%20up. Accessed 17 Jun. 2025.
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