perk up
phrasal verb
perked up; perking up; perks up
informal
1
: to become more lively or cheerful or to make (someone) more lively or cheerful
We perked up when we heard the good news.
The good news perked everyone up.
2
: to make (something) fresher or more appealing
The new paint job really perked up the room.
3
chiefly US, of an animal's ears
: to be lifted in a quick and alert way
The dog's ears perked up.
—often used figuratively of a personMy ears perked up when I heard my name mentioned.
Examples of perk up in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The video platform also has seen an uptick from its pay-TV arm, YouTube TV, which is now one of the top U.S. operators at north of 8 million subscribers.
Shares in Alphabet, which have risen more than 20% in 2024 to date, perked up 4% on the results, passing the $178 mark.
—
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024
The Nasdaq also perked up Thursday, one day after a 1.6% plunge that broke five straight sessions higher.
—Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2024
But Combs immediately perked up and flashed a smile upon seeing members of his family in the packed courtroom, including his mother Janice and his brood of children, sons Quincy Brown, Justin and Christian, his daughters Chance and twins Jessie and D’Lila.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024
The Aries moon perks up your inner directional system.
—USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perk up 
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of
Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback
about these examples.
Dade Hayes, Deadline, 29 Oct. 2024
The Nasdaq also perked up Thursday, one day after a 1.6% plunge that broke five straight sessions higher.
—Matthew J. Belvedere, CNBC, 24 Oct. 2024
But Combs immediately perked up and flashed a smile upon seeing members of his family in the packed courtroom, including his mother Janice and his brood of children, sons Quincy Brown, Justin and Christian, his daughters Chance and twins Jessie and D’Lila.
—Cheyenne Roundtree, Rolling Stone, 10 Oct. 2024
The Aries moon perks up your inner directional system.
—USA TODAY, 16 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perk up
Dictionary Entries Near perk up
Cite this Entry
“Perk up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perk%20up. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share