pep

1 of 2

noun

ˈpep 

: brisk energy or initiative and high spirits

pep

2 of 2

verb

pepped; pepping

transitive verb

: to inject pep into

pep him up

Synonyms

Noun

• beans
• bounce
• brio
• dash
• drive
• dynamism
• energy
• esprit
• gas
• get-up-and-go
• ginger
• go
• gusto
• hardihood
• juice
• life
• moxie
• oomph
• punch
• sap
• snap
• starch
• verve
• vigor
• vim
• vinegar
• vitality
• zing
• zip

Verb

• amp (up)
• animate
• brace
• energize
• enliven
• fillip
• fire
• ginger (up)
• invigorate
• jazz (up)
• juice up
• jump-start
• liven (up)
• quicken
• spike
• stimulate
• vitalize
• vivify
• zip (up)

Examples of pep in a Sentence

Noun

The young teacher was full of pep.

the students always display considerably more pep during the weeks immediately prior to the holidays

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Kaia Gerber is giving her travel fit a colorful update—and what better than this season’s hue du jour to add a little pep in her step? —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 3 Apr. 2024

The pop-up also encouraged visitors to tap into their inner artist — or add some pep to their penmanship — by way of postcard writing stations, tote bag personalization and more art stations fully stocked with colorful new offerings from Sharpie and Paper Mate. —Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

short for pepper

First Known Use

Noun

1908, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1912, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing pep

• pep pill
• pep rally
• pep talk
• pep up

Kids Definition

pep

1 of 2 noun

ˈpep 

: brisk energy : liveliness

peppiness

-ē-nəs

noun

peppy

-ē

adjective

pep

2 of 2 verb

pepped; pepping

: to put pep into : stimulate

let's try to pep things up

Medical Definition

PEP

abbreviation

phosphoenolpyruvate