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.
But there, under the dry leaves, one plant was already forming perky green rosettes: garlic mustard. Zoë Lescaze, New York Times, 13 Apr. 2025 The cups are molded with underwire support to lift the ladies for a perky and youthful look. Andrea Jordan, Glamour, 10 Apr. 2025 Europe Records Strong Flows European ETFs also recorded sizable inflows, the WGC said, led by perky investor interest in the U.K., Germany and Switzerland. Royston Wild, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 You get used to it—and your boobs remain perky forever. Eileen Finan, People.com, 29 Mar. 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Perky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perky. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Kids Definition

perky

adjective
perkier; perkiest
: being lively and cheerful
perkiness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on perky

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!