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
My observation is that crowds really perk up when the DJ drops something familiar.
—
Eric Fuller, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
McGowan is hidden among other travelers on the platform, and Bonnie can be seen looking into the face of each one eagerly, her ears perked up and her tail starting to wag as McGowan gets closer, the dog possibly picking up on her scent.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
The man perked up, but McArdle had already gone dark, staring down at his coffee, stirring it slowly, one direction and then the other.
—Greg Borowski, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
Overall, company sales advanced 7 percent in 2024, with interest from specialty stores perking up.
—Miles Socha, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for perk up 
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Eric Fuller, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025
McGowan is hidden among other travelers on the platform, and Bonnie can be seen looking into the face of each one eagerly, her ears perked up and her tail starting to wag as McGowan gets closer, the dog possibly picking up on her scent.
—Benedict Cosgrove, Newsweek, 20 Dec. 2024
The man perked up, but McArdle had already gone dark, staring down at his coffee, stirring it slowly, one direction and then the other.
—Greg Borowski, Journal Sentinel, 18 Dec. 2024
Overall, company sales advanced 7 percent in 2024, with interest from specialty stores perking up.
—Miles Socha, WWD, 21 Jan. 2025
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 8 Feb. 2025.
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