Pert — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

adjective /ˈpərt/

Meaning & Definition of Pert

Pert (adjective)

  1. saucily free and forward, flippantly cocky and assured
  2. being trim and chic, jaunty
  3. piquantly stimulating

Pert (adjective) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. having much high-spirited energy and movement

    "a pert girl who is a member of the cheerleading squad"

    similar: active, airy, animate, animated, bouncing, brisk, energetic, frisky, gay, jaunty, jazzy, kinetic, lively, mettlesome, peppy, perky, pizzazzy, racy, snappy, spanking, sparky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy, on the go
    related: dapper, dashing, spiffy, agog, alert, awake, open-eyed, up, wide-awake, agile, nimble, spry, bright, buoyant, cheerful, chipper, chirpy, chirrupy, effervescent, sparkly, upbeat, eager, enthusiastic, keen, frolicsome, impish, pixieish, playful, boisterous, bubbly, ebullient, exuberant, high-spirited, high-strung, nervous, skittish
    opposite: dead, inactive, inanimate, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous, leaden, lifeless, limp, listless, spiritless, vapid
    near: indolent, lazy, unambitious, inert, lethargic, sleepy, sluggish, tired, torpid, weary, apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, stolid, boring, dull, irksome, tedious

  2. making light of something usually regarded as serious or sacred

    "a pert retort that irritated the teacher"

    similar: cute, facetious, flip, flippant, smart, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-ass, smart-assed, smarty-pants, wise, wiseass
    related: flighty, frivolous, cheeky, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impish, impudent, mischievous, playful, roguish, sassy, saucy, waggish, disrespectful, rude, breezy, casual, glib, inappropriate, thoughtless
    opposite: earnest, sincere
    near: grave, serious, sober, solemn, somber

  3. sharp and pleasantly stimulating to the mind or senses

    "a pert suggestion for a truly original marketing campaign"

    similar: piquant, poignant, pungent, salty, savory, zesty, zingy
    related: racy, spicy, fiery, gingery, hot, peppery, vinegary, acute, keen, biting, bitter, cutting, mordant, trenchant, animating, energizing, enlightening, exciting, galvanizing, invigorating, piquing, provocative, provoking, ambrosial, appetizing, delectable, delicious, luscious, palatable, scrumptious, toothsome, flavorful, savorous, tasty, absorbing, arresting, engaging, engrossing, enthralling, fascinating, gripping, interesting, intriguing, riveting
    opposite: insipid, zestless
    near: flat, flavorless, savorless, tasteless, arid, banal, barren, boring, colorless, drab, dreary, dry, dull, humdrum, leaden, monotonous, numbing, pedestrian, ponderous, predictable, stale, stodgy, tedious, tiring, uninteresting, wearisome, wearying, bland, dilute, thin, watery, weak

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Pert

The most common words with a similar meaning to Pert:

active, airy, animate, animated, bouncing, brisk, energetic, frisky, gay, jaunty, jazzy, kinetic, lively, mettlesome, peppy, perky, pizzazzy, racy, snappy, spanking, sparky, spirited, sprightly, springy, vital, vivacious, zippy, cute, facetious, flip, flippant, smart, smart-aleck, smart-alecky, smart-ass, smart-assed, smarty-pants, wise, wiseass, piquant

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Pert

Words with the opposite meaning of Pert:

dead, inactive, inanimate, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous, leaden, lifeless, limp, listless, spiritless, vapid, earnest, sincere, insipid, zestless

Related Words for Pert

dapper, dashing, spiffy, agog, alert, awake, open-eyed, up, wide-awake, agile, nimble, spry, bright, buoyant, cheerful, chipper, chirpy, chirrupy, effervescent, sparkly, upbeat, eager, enthusiastic, keen, frolicsome, impish, pixieish, playful, boisterous, bubbly

Near Antonyms of Pert

indolent, lazy, unambitious, inert, lethargic, sleepy, sluggish, tired, torpid, weary, apathetic, impassive, phlegmatic, stolid, boring, dull, irksome, tedious, grave, serious, sober, solemn, somber, flat, flavorless, savorless, tasteless, arid, banal, barren

Word Forms of Pert

Derived words: pertly (adverb), pertness (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Pert

Middle English, evident, attractive, saucy, short for apert evident, from Anglo-French, from Latin apertus open, from past participle of aperire to open

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Pert

What does "Pert" mean?

"Pert" means saucily free and forward, flippantly cocky and assured. As an adjective, it is defined as: saucily free and forward, flippantly cocky and assured. It has 3 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Pert"?

Other words for "Pert" include active, airy, animate, animated, bouncing, brisk, energetic and frisky. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Pert" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Pert"?

There are 144 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Pert". Common alternatives include active, airy, animate, animated, bouncing, brisk, energetic, frisky, gay and jaunty.

What is the opposite of "Pert"?

Antonyms of "Pert" include dead, inactive, inanimate, lackadaisical, languid, languishing, languorous and leaden. Near antonyms include indolent, lazy, unambitious and inert.

How do you use "Pert" in a sentence?

Examples of "Pert" in a sentence: "a pert girl who is a member of the cheerleading squad"; "a pert retort that irritated the teacher"; "a pert suggestion for a truly original marketing campaign".

Is "Pert" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Pert" is an adjective.

How do you pronounce "Pert"?

"Pert" is pronounced /ˈpərt/.

What is the origin of the word "Pert"?

"Pert" comes from Middle English, evident, attractive, saucy, short for apert evident, from Anglo-French, from Latin apertus open, from past participle of aperire to open. First known use: 14th century.