perk up
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
As a professional organizer, my ears perk up anytime someone mentions the words ‘declutter’, ‘organize’, or ‘tidy,' in a conversation about productivity.
—
Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 June 2026
The Senators’ ears should be perked up for the 25-year-old’s availability, whether through an offer sheet or a trade.
—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
If the plant perks up in the evening because the soil is still moist, this is a normal, temporary response to extreme heat.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
No matter what style Barnes is toying with, their antenna perks up when relationships start to fray.
—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for perk up
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Mary Cornetta,
Better Homes & Gardens,
27 June 2026
The Senators’ ears should be perked up for the 25-year-old’s availability, whether through an offer sheet or a trade.
—
Julian McKenzie,
New York Times,
23 June 2026
If the plant perks up in the evening because the soil is still moist, this is a normal, temporary response to extreme heat.
—
Mary Marlowe Leverette,
Southern Living,
20 June 2026
No matter what style Barnes is toying with, their antenna perks up when relationships start to fray.
—
Ethan Beck,
Pitchfork,
9 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for perk up
Cite this Entry
“Perk up.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perk%20up. Accessed 5 Jul. 2026.
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