verb (used without object)
1.
to become lively, cheerful, or vigorous, as after depression or sickness (usually followed by up ): The patients all perked up when we played the piano for them.
2.
to act, or carry oneself, in a jaunty manner.
3.
to put oneself forward briskly or presumptuously.
verb (used with object)
4.
to make smart, trim, or jaunty (sometimes followed by up or out ): to perk up a suit with a new white blouse.
5.
to raise smartly or briskly (often followed by up or out ): to perk one's head up.
00:10
Perk
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is lollygag. Does it mean:
| to spend time idly; loaf. |
| to flee; abscond: |
adjective
6.
perky; jaunty: a perk manner.
Related forms
perk·ing·ly, adverb
perk·ish, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2013.
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Link To perk
Collins
World English Dictionary
perk1 (pɜːk) ![[Click for IPA pronunciation guide]](http://static.sfdict.com/dictstatic/g/d/dictionary_questionbutton_default.gif) | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | pert; brisk; lively |
| —vb | |
| 2. | See perk up |
| [C16: see | |
| perk2 (pɜːk) | |
| —vb | |
| 1. | (intr) (of coffee) to percolate |
| 2. | (tr) to percolate (coffee) |
| perk3 (pɜːk) | |
| —n | |
| informal (Brit) short for perquisite | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History
perk
late 14c., "to make oneself trim or smart," perhaps from O.N.Fr. perquer "to perch" (Fr. percher; see perch (1)), on notion of a bird preening its plumage. Sense of "raise oneself briskly" is first attested 1520s; perk up "recover liveliness" is from 1650s.
perk
1869, shortened and altered form of perquisite (q.v.); 1934 as shortened and altered form of percolate (see percolation).
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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Slang Dictionary
perk definition
|
Dictionary of American Slang and Colloquial Expressions by Richard A. Spears.Fourth Edition.
Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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Copyright 2007. Published by McGraw Hill.
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American Heritage
Abbreviations & Acronyms
| perk perquisite |
The American Heritage® Abbreviations Dictionary, Third Edition
Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Example sentences
However, other indicators suggest that the euro area economies are starting to perk up.
Well, insists the government, things will perk up next year.
Perk up a green salad with juicy-sweet berries and flavorful blue cheese crumbles.
Wilted leaves often perk up if you cut off the damaged part of the stem and put it in water.
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