perk up

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 person

My ears perked up when I heard my name mentioned.

Examples of perk up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

These verdant noodles are the ideal side dish to perk up any summer meal. —Jesse Szewczyk, Bon Appetit Magazine, 8 June 2026

Palmy wallpaper from Cole & Son perks up a hall. —Gary Thompson, Midwest Living, 5 June 2026

The Miami Dolphins’ offense perked up Wednesday, delivering a respectable showing on the second day of the team’s mandatory minicamp. —Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 3 June 2026

Ears that stay perked up also prevent heat from being trapped, and allow for better circulation. —Madeline Gunderson, USA Today, 29 May 2026

Rhymes for perk up

• backup
• blowup
• breakup
• buildup
• checkup
• cleanup
• holdup
• hookup
• lineup
• lockup
• makeup
• markup