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perk

Listen See in a sentence

To perk is defined as to stick up or liven up.

(verb)

An example of to perk is to bounce up after a nap.

The definition of a perk is a benefit.

(noun)

An example of a perk is a reward points package with a credit card.

See perk in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb

to raise (the head, ears, etc.) briskly or spiritedly: often with up
to make jaunty or smart in appearance: often with up or out
to give or restore freshness, vivacity, etc. to: usually with up

Origin: ME perken < ? NormFr perquer, var. of OFr percher, perch

intransitive verb

to lift one's head, straighten one's posture, etc. jauntily
to become lively or animated; esp., to recover one's spirits: with up

adjective

Now Rare perky

transitive verb, intransitive verb

Informal percolate

noun

Informal perquisite

See perk in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb perked, perk·ing, perks

verb, intransitive

To stick up or jut out: dogs' ears that perk.
To carry oneself in a lively and jaunty manner.

verb, transitive

To cause to stick up quickly: The dog perked its ears at the noise.

adjective

Perky.

Phrasal Verb: perk up To regain or cause to regain one's good spirits or liveliness. To refresh the appearance of: New furniture and paint perked up the room.

Origin:

Origin: Possibly Middle English perken, to perch

Origin: , from perk, rod, perch

Origin: , probably from Medieval Latin perca

Origin: and from Old French perche, perce

Origin: , both from Latin pertica, rod; see perch ¹

noun
Informal

A perquisite: “Temper tantrums over perks are more common than the American taxpayer might like to believe” (Maureen Dowd).

Origin:

Origin: Shortening and alteration of perquisite

intransitive verb perked, perk·ing, perks
Informal

To percolate: The coffee was perking on the stove.

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