What does pert mean?
Pert describes someone who is boldly self-assured, cheeky, and willing to speak or behave in a way that might seem slightly impertinent. In contemporary British and American English, it often has a playful or mildly critical tone: a pert answer can be admired for its wit while still being considered impudent. The word can also describe a person as jaunty, lively, and attractively confident, especially in descriptions such as “a pert young woman.” Its sense of being lively or in good health survives mainly in older usage. Derived forms include the adverb “pertly” and the noun “pertness.” Although “pert” may initially suggest discourtesy, its historical association with openness and frankness explains why it can also convey vivacity and audacious charm.
adjectiveBoldly cheeky or impertinent; jaunty and self-confident. In older usage, it can also describe someone or something lively, attractive, or in good health.
- Boldly cheeky, impertinent, or self-confident
- Lively, jaunty, and attractively bold
- In earlier usage, lively or in good health
"She gave him a pert reply that made the whole audience laugh."
"The child gave the teacher a pert answer that was clever but technically correct."
"Her pert manner and quick wit made her a favourite at parties."
Pert began as a compliment: its French ancestor meant “open,” so a pert person was frank, lively, and unself-conscious before the word developed its modern edge of cheeky confidence.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does pert come from?
The word entered English in the early 16th century from French pert, meaning “open” or “alert.” French pert was developed from Latin apertus, a past participle of aperire, “to open.” Through English usage, the sense developed from openness and frankness toward the modern meanings of jaunty, bold, or cheeky. Its Latin relatives include words such as “aperture” and “aperitif,” which preserve the idea of opening.
Related word forms
How pert is actually used
In modern British and American English, “pert” usually carries a mildly critical or teasing tone when applied to a person's behaviour, though it can be approving when describing someone as lively and jaunty. The older senses are now less common.