pep

American  

[pep] / pɛp /

noun

1. lively spirits or energy; vigor; animation.

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verb phrase

1. pep up to make or become spirited, vigorous, or lively; animate.

   We need something to pep up this party.

PEP ¹ British  

/ pɛp /

acronym

1. personal equity plan: a method of saving in the U.K. with certain tax advantages, in which investments up to a fixed annual value can be purchased: replaced by the ISA in 1999 but arrangements for existing PEPs remain unchanged

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abbreviation

1. political and economic planning

pep ² British  

/ pɛp /

noun

1. high spirits, energy, or vitality

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verb

1. to liven by imbuing with new vigour

Other Word Forms

• pepful adjective

Etymology

Origin of pep

First recorded in 1840–50; short for pepper

Example Sentences

Think of it as a pep rally where family members hype the gymnasts.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 27, 2026

The pep talk focused his mind and inspired him to battle through the pain barrier for the remaining six races.

From BBC • Feb. 21, 2026

Tennis great Roger Federer even invited Shiffrin and her mother, Eileen, to his Swiss mountain home to give her a pep talk.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 9, 2026

Each roughly 25-minute episode feels like a stealth pep talk packed with recommendations and insight, and who among us can’t use one of those?

From Salon • Dec. 26, 2025

The team pulled on their scarlet Gryffindor robes, then sat down to listen to Wood’s usual pre-match pep talk.

From "Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets" by J. K. Rowling

Related Words

• gusto
• starch
• verve