Dart
/dɑːrt/
Definitions
4 meaningsA small, slender, pointed missile designed to be thrown or shot.
/dɑːrt/
A small, pointed missile used for throwing.
The player carefully aimed and threw the dart.
💡 Simply: Imagine a tiny arrow you throw for fun! It's like the ones you see in a dart game at a pub.
👶 For kids: A little pointy thing you throw to play a game, like at a dartboard!
More Examples
She won the competition by hitting the bullseye with her final dart.
How It's Used
"He threw the dart at the dartboard."
To move or run somewhere suddenly and rapidly.
/dɑːrt/
The squirrel darted up the tree.
💡 Simply: To zoom or dash somewhere super fast! Think of a rabbit darting into its hole.
👶 For kids: To run really fast, like a flash!
More Examples
She darted a quick glance at the clock.
How It's Used
"The cat darted across the road."
A sudden, swift movement.
/dɑːrt/
A sudden, quick movement.
With a dart, the dog caught the frisbee mid-air.
💡 Simply: Think of a sudden quick move, like you're trying to catch something!
👶 For kids: A quick move, like a flash!
More Examples
The bird's dart was so fast I hardly saw it.
How It's Used
"He made a sudden dart for the exit."
A tapered tuck sewn into clothing to shape the garment.
/dɑːrt/
A shaped piece of fabric in clothing, to give a closer fit.
The tailor carefully added darts to the bodice of the dress.
💡 Simply: Imagine a little fold sewn into your clothes to make them fit better, especially around your body curves!
👶 For kids: A little folded bit in your clothes to make them fit just right.
More Examples
The darts helped to create a more streamlined silhouette.
How It's Used
"The dress had darts to shape the waist."
Idioms & expressions
dart around
To move quickly from one place to another.
"The children were darting around the playground."
a dart of pain
A sudden, sharp pain.
"She felt a dart of pain in her shoulder."
From Middle English *dart*, *darte*, from Old French *dars*, plural of *draz*, from Frankish *dars* (“spear, arrow”), from Proto-Germanic *dar- (spear).
The verb 'dart' has been used since the 14th century, initially referring to a sudden movement or flight. The noun 'dart' has been used as a weapon since the early 14th century.
Memory tip
Think of a pointy stick you throw at a board.
Practice
Word Origin
Root: *dar-