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
Gold — also seen as a source of safety during volatile market times — has perked up about 1% in that time, however.
—
NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Fresh ricotta from a Pennsylvania farm figures into one of the other non-pizza dishes offered on the menu: a small salad consisting of the cheese, thinly sliced radishes and slivers of apple, perked up with a blend of zesty vinaigrette, fresh mint and flaky sea salt.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Also, with recession fears receding, economic growth has perked up, with the EIA predicting the economy will grow 2.6% this year, up from 2.5% in 2023 and 1.9% in 2022.
—The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Your spiritual side is perked up while the moon dances with Neptune.
—USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
Gianna perked up a bit at dinner, eating black olives one by one off of the tips of her fingers.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2024
Without missing a beat, Giamatti perks up and participates.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
No worries, perk up your day with premium floaters with any cocktail or frozen for $2.29.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The Aztecs finally perked up, put together a 10-2 run and led 29-22.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024
NBC News, 16 Apr. 2024
Fresh ricotta from a Pennsylvania farm figures into one of the other non-pizza dishes offered on the menu: a small salad consisting of the cheese, thinly sliced radishes and slivers of apple, perked up with a blend of zesty vinaigrette, fresh mint and flaky sea salt.
—Sonia Rao, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024
Also, with recession fears receding, economic growth has perked up, with the EIA predicting the economy will grow 2.6% this year, up from 2.5% in 2023 and 1.9% in 2022.
—The Arizona Republic, 5 Apr. 2024
Your spiritual side is perked up while the moon dances with Neptune.
—USA TODAY, 29 Mar. 2024
Gianna perked up a bit at dinner, eating black olives one by one off of the tips of her fingers.
—Erika Edwards, NBC News, 9 Mar. 2024
Without missing a beat, Giamatti perks up and participates.
—Jake Kring-Schreifels, Washington Post, 8 Mar. 2024
No worries, perk up your day with premium floaters with any cocktail or frozen for $2.29.
—Amber Love Bond, Forbes, 27 Feb. 2024
The Aztecs finally perked up, put together a 10-2 run and led 29-22.
—Mark Zeigler, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 Feb. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'perk up.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near perk up
Cite this Entry
“Perk up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perk%20up. Accessed 24 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share