perkier; perkiest
1
: briskly self-assured : cocky
2
: jaunty
a perky … waltzNew Yorker
perkily adverb
perkiness noun

Examples of perky in a Sentence

He hasn't been his perky self lately. She drove around in a perky little car.
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.
Lately, 17-year-old Chewie's health has been deteriorating, which Ripa has been heartbreakingly honest about on the morning show, but on Tuesday, the dog seemed her usual perky self, Ripa said. Rachel Raposas, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025 From the opening scene of the pilot, that perky, upbeat patina put on everything coming out of corporate is super sinister and really tied to real life. Sophie Brookover, Vulture, 24 Jan. 2025 But tension quickly develops between Elizabeth and this perky new creation (Margaret Qualley), sparking a metaphysical battle that takes a toll on both of them. Scott Tobias, New York Times, 23 Jan. 2025 At home, she is constantly compared to her popular, perky younger sister Bianca (Larisa Oleynik) by their overprotective single father Walter (Larry Miller). Jen Juneau, People.com, 14 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for perky 

Word History

First Known Use

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of perky was in 1820

Dictionary Entries Near perky

Cite this Entry

“Perky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perky. Accessed 10 Feb. 2025.

Kids Definition

perky

adjective
perkier; perkiest
: being lively and cheerful
perkiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on perky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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