perkier; perkiest
1
a
: alert and full of vigor
… the caffeine makes it the rare dessert that leaves you feeling perkier …—Stephanie Bedford
especially
: cheerfully energetic
He's as perky as a male cheerleader. —Franklin Foer
b
: lively in manner, effect, or appearance : jaunty
a perky pop song
drove a perky little sports car
… the wine's perky effervescence …—Wine Enthusiast Magazine
c
: briskly self-assured : cocky
… off I went, perky as a peacock.—Ellis Parker Butler
2
a
: sticking or standing up or out
dog breeds with perky ears
She was skinny and had a little perky nose.—Asma Hasan
b
: not sagging : taut
… a surgical treatment that makes the buttocks perkier and rounder …—Ellie Muir
c
: not limp or wilted : fresh
The blossoms are the perkiest when plucked straight out of your garden.—Amisha Gurbani
plural -es
: the quality or state of being perky : jauntiness
kept his … perkiness of spirit—Richard Church
his perkiness and his occasional irascibility have marked him out as an average man—London Daily Mail
Cite this Entry
“Perky.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/perky. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.
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