perk
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.an extra benefit you get from your job in addition to your pay, like a company car or free meals.
n.a perquisite; a benefit or advantage to which a person is entitled by virtue of their employment or position.
Simple“One of the best perks of working at the bakery is the free bread every day.”
In context“The executive package included several attractive perks, such as a private health plan and a generous travel allowance.”
UsageUsually countable; often used in the plural 'perks'.
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
n.a special ability or permanent power-up that your character gets in a video game.
n.a permanent bonus or ability acquired by a player character to enhance performance or unlock new mechanics.
Simple“I chose the 'fast runner' perk so I could escape from enemies more easily.”
In context“Players must carefully decide which perks to unlock early in the game, as skill points are limited during the first ten levels.”
- 03 B2 Upper Intermediate
v.to become more lively, cheerful, or interested, especially after being tired or sad.
v.to become more lively or cheerful; most frequently used in the phrasal verb 'perk up'.
Simple“The dog perked up the moment he heard the sound of the treat jar opening.”
In context“The market perked up slightly following the central bank's announcement, though investors remained cautious about long-term stability.”
UsageAlmost always used with the particle 'up'.
- 04 C2 Proficiency
v.to make coffee using a special machine called a percolator.
v.to prepare coffee in a percolator; a shortened, informal form of 'percolate'.
Simple“I could hear the coffee perking in the kitchen while I was still in bed.”
In context“She preferred the robust aroma of coffee perking on the stove to the convenience of a modern pod machine.”
Synonymsbrewpercolate
Clipping of perquisite.
Clipping of percolate (verb) and percolator (noun).
Origin uncertain. Perhaps a metathesis of prick.
The origin is uncertain. Perhaps a variant of peer + -k (frequentative ending).
From Middle English perken, from Old Northern French perquer.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.