perky

adjective

ˈpər-kē 

perkier; perkiest

1

: briskly self-assured : cocky

2

: jaunty

a perky … waltz

—New Yorker

perkily

ˈpər-kə-lē 

adverb

perkiness

ˈpər-kē-nəs 

noun

Synonyms

• energetic
• lively
• animated
• active
• brisk
• animate
• cheerful
• bouncing

Examples of perky in a Sentence

He hasn't been his perky self lately.

She drove around in a perky little car.

Recent Examples on the Web

Her perky protagonist notably navigated a romantic relationship with vampire Bill Compton and explored the roots of her own fairy ancestry. —Matt Cabral, Entertainment Weekly, 4 Oct. 2025

Smith, who is a global ambassador for Dior Beauty, sat front row at the spring/summer 2026 womenswear show—alongside fellow ambassadors Anya Taylor-Joy and Blackpink's Jisoo—wearing head-to-toe Dior and a high, multi-layered updo that began with braids and ended in a perky pile of waves. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 1 Oct. 2025

McDermott skillfully deploys Valley Girl upspeak to ends both disturbingly perky and just straight disturbing. —Sara Holdren, Vulture, 23 Sep. 2025

Becky is perky and cheerful to the point of being obnoxious, which sometimes irks Robin. —Lisa Stardust, PEOPLE, 19 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for perky

• jerky
• murky
• quirky
• turki

Kids Definition

perky

adjective

ˈpər-kē 

perkier; perkiest

: being lively and cheerful

perkiness noun