perk up

phrasal verb

perked up; perking up; perks up

informal

: 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.

: to make (something) fresher or more appealing

The new paint job really perked up the room.

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 person

My ears perked up when I heard my name mentioned.

Examples of perk up in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

This handy spread is worth stocking up on because it can be used in several different—and easy—ways to perk up your usual weeknight dinners. —

Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 31 Jan. 2025 Or, for something more substantial, her sheet-pan kielbasa with cabbage and beans is perked up with a sprightly red wine and dill vinaigrette, which adds a nice bump of acidity to all the golden, meaty drippings in the pan. —

Melissa Clark, New York Times, 22 Jan. 2025 Hate to side with Kacey, but maybe looking cuter would perk up her spirits! —

Christina Grace Tucker, Vulture, 26 Dec. 2024 My observation is that crowds really perk up when the DJ drops something familiar. —

Eric Fuller, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for perk up