The AI-powered English dictionary
comparative more pertly, superlative most pertly
In a manner that is lively or high-spirited quotations examples
"Dearie, you aren't going to go and get peevish, are you?" She spoke pertly. He wanted to spank her.
1922, Sinclair Lewis, “24”, in Babbitt
TA pretty girl passed him on her way to work and he greeted her indulgently. She winked pertly back at him, proving for all time that she was not a watcher.
1986, John le Carré, A Perfect Spy