Word
perk
US/ˈpɝk/
UK/pˈɜːk/
Definitions
01job benefit
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Informal
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.
“One of the best perks of working at the bakery is the free bread every day.”
“The executive package included several attractive perks, such as a private health plan and a generous travel allowance.”
02gaming power-up
B2 · Upper Intermediate Countable noun Computing Slang
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.
“I chose the 'fast runner' perk so I could escape from enemies more easily.”
“Players must carefully decide which perks to unlock early in the game, as skill points are limited during the first ten levels.”
03to become more cheerful
B2 · Upper Intermediate Informal
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'.
“The dog perked up the moment he heard the sound of the treat jar opening.”
“The market perked up slightly following the central bank's announcement, though investors remained cautious about long-term stability.”
04to make coffee
C2 · Proficiency Cooking American English · Informal
v. to make coffee using a special machine called a percolator.
v. to prepare coffee in a percolator; a shortened, informal form of 'percolate'.
“I could hear the coffee perking in the kitchen while I was still in bed.”
“She preferred the robust aroma of coffee perking on the stove to the convenience of a modern pod machine.”
Synonyms
Usage
Often used in the plural ('perks') when discussing job benefits.
Real-World Examples
“Nonstop flights are nice, but layovers have perks too.” “Over the past two decades, the tech industry became famous (or infamous) for its “perks culture,” a custom of providing employees with fanciful and luxurious amenities.” “Perks, from state-of-the-art gym facilities to private pop concerts to on-site sushi bars, have become integral to the culture at big technology companies.” Etymology
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.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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