perk1

[purk] /pɜrk/
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.
adjective
6.
perky; jaunty:
a perk manner.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English perken; perhaps akin to peer2
Related forms
perkingly, adverb
perkish, adjective
British Dictionary definitions for perk up

perk up

verb (adverb)
1.
to make or become more cheerful, hopeful, or lively
2.
to rise or cause to rise briskly: the dog's ears perked up
3.
(transitive) to make smarter in appearance: she perked up her outfit with a bright scarf
4.
(intransitive) (Austral, slang) to vomit
Word Origin
C14 perk, perhaps from Norman French perquer; see perch1

perk1

/pɜːk/
adjective
1.
pert; brisk; lively
verb
2.
See perk up
Word Origin
C16: see perk up

perk2

/pɜːk/
verb (informal)
1.
(intransitive) (of coffee) to percolate
2.
(transitive) to percolate (coffee)

perk3

/pɜːk/
noun
1.
(Brit, informal) short for perquisite
Word Origin and History for perk up

perk

v.

late 14c., "to make oneself trim or smart," perhaps from Old North French perquer "to perch" (Modern French percher; see perch (n.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. Related: Perked; perking.

n.

1869, shortened and altered form of perquisite (q.v.); as a verb, 1934 as shortened and altered form of percolate.

Slang definitions & phrases for perk up

perk up

verb phrase
  1. To stimulate; invigorate: Gotta perk up this class (1965+)
  2. To recuperate; recover; gain energy: He's perked up after a two-week illness (1706+)

[origin uncertain; perhaps related to perch, and semantically to the notion of being placed high]


perk 1

noun

Percolated coffee (1950s+)

verb

To run smoothly and well; percolate: The project's perking now (1925+)


perk 2

noun

Extra money, privileges, fringe benefits, etc, pertaining to a job or assignment: His men were delighted to be in Afghanistan, he said, mostly because of the perks

[1824+; fr perquisite]


Related Abbreviations for perk up

perk

perquisite
Idioms and Phrases with perk up

perk up

Restore to good spirits, liveliness, or good appearance, as in You're exhausted, but a cup of tea will perk you up, or The flowers perked up the whole room. [ Mid-1600s ]