Perk Definition

pûrk

perked, perking, perks

verb

perked, perking, perks

To raise (the head, ears, etc.) briskly or spiritedly.

Webster's New World

To lift one's head, straighten one's posture, etc. jauntily.

Webster's New World

To stick up or jut out.

Dogs' ears that perk.

American Heritage

To percolate.

The coffee was perking on the stove.

American Heritage

To become lively or animated; esp., to recover one's spirits.

Webster's New World

Synonyms:

adjective

Perky.

American Heritage

Webster's New World

Wiktionary

noun

perks

Webster's New World

A perquisite.

American Heritage

A percolator, particularly of coffee.

Wiktionary

Synonyms:

Antonyms:

Other Word Forms of Perk

Singular:

perk

Plural:

Possibly Middle English perken to perch from perk rod, perch probably from Medieval Latin perca and from Old French perche, perce both from Latin pertica rod perch¹

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From percolate (verb) and percolator (noun), by abbreviation.

From Wiktionary
Shortening and alteration of perquisite

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
From perquisite, by abbreviation.

From Wiktionary
The origin is uncertain.

From Wiktionary