Transcription
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
- UK Pronunciation
- UK IPA
-
- [purk uhp]
- /pɜrk ʌp/
- /pɜːk ʌp/
-
- US Pronunciation
- US IPA
-
- [purk uhp]
- /pɜrk ʌp/
Definitions of perk up words
- verb without object perk up 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. 1
- verb without object perk up to act, or carry oneself, in a jaunty manner. 1
- verb without object perk up to put oneself forward briskly or presumptuously. 1
- verb with object perk up to make smart, trim, or jaunty (sometimes followed by up or out): to perk up a suit with a new white blouse. 1
- verb with object perk up to raise smartly or briskly (often followed by up or out): to perk one's head up. 1
- adjective perk up perky; jaunty: a perk manner. 1
Information block about the term
Origin of perk up
First appearance:
before 1350 One of the 20% oldest English words
1350-1400; Middle English perken; perhaps akin to peer2
Historical Comparancy
Parts of speech for Perk up
noun
adjective
verb
adverb
pronoun
preposition
conjunction
determiner
exclamation
perk up popularity
A common word. It’s meaning is known to most children of preschool age. About 89% of English native speakers know the meaning and use the word.
Most Europeans know this English word. The frequency of it’s usage is somewhere between "mom" and "screwdriver".
perk up usage trend in Literature
This diagram is provided by Google Ngram ViewerSynonyms for perk up
verb perk up
- brace up — to call forth one's courage, resolution, etc., as after defeat or disappointment
- brighten — If someone brightens or their face brightens, they suddenly look happier.
- cheer up — When you cheer up or when something cheers you up, you stop feeling depressed and become more cheerful.
- cheer — When people cheer, they shout loudly to show their approval or to encourage someone who is doing something such as taking part in a game.
- cock — A man's cock is his penis.
Antonyms for perk up
verb perk up
- droop — to sag, sink, bend, or hang down, as from weakness, exhaustion, or lack of support.
See also
Matching words
- Words starting with p
- Words starting with pe
- Words starting with per
- Words starting with perk
- Words starting with perku
- Words starting with perkup