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
Overall, company sales advanced 7 percent in 2024, with interest from specialty stores perking up.
—
Miles Socha, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
Claire, however, perks up at the mention of cheese.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2025
These cherry ones will definitely perk up your utensil drawer.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 1 Jan. 2025
The biggest surprise, one that perked up an otherwise mixed bag of an episode, was Adam Sandler showing up as the patient in a surgery sketch.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for perk up 
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Miles Socha, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
Claire, however, perks up at the mention of cheese.
—Lincee Ray, EW.com, 4 Jan. 2025
These cherry ones will definitely perk up your utensil drawer.
—Jessica Kasparian, SELF, 1 Jan. 2025
The biggest surprise, one that perked up an otherwise mixed bag of an episode, was Adam Sandler showing up as the patient in a surgery sketch.
—Omar L. Gallaga, Los Angeles Times, 15 Dec. 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 28 Jan. 2025.
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