dart

[ dahrt ]

noun

1. a small, slender missile that is pointed at one end and usually feathered at the other and is propelled by hand, as in the game of darts, or by a blowgun when used as a weapon.

   Synonyms: barb, arrow

2. something similar in function to such a missile, as the stinging member of an insect.
3. darts, (used with a singular verb) a game in which darts are thrown at a target usually marked with concentric circles divided into segments and with a bull's-eye in the center.
4. an act of darting; a sudden swift movement.
5. a tapered seam of fabric for adjusting the fit of a garment.

verb (used without object)

1. to move swiftly; spring or start suddenly and run swiftly:

   A mouse darted out of the closet and ran across the room.

   Synonyms: shoot, bolt, dash

verb (used with object)

1. to thrust or move suddenly or rapidly:

   He darted his eyes around the room.

dart

¹

/ dɑːt /

noun

1. a small narrow pointed missile that is thrown or shot, as in the game of darts
2. a sudden quick movement
3. zoology a slender pointed structure, as in snails for aiding copulation or in nematodes for penetrating the host's tissues
4. a tapered tuck made in dressmaking

verb

1. to move or throw swiftly and suddenly; shoot

   she darted across the room

dart

²

/ dɑːt /

noun

1. any of various tropical and semitropical marine fish

Derived Forms

• ˈdarting, adjective
• ˈdartingly, adverb

Other Words From

• darting·ly adverb
• darting·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of dart¹

1275–1325; Middle English < Anglo-French, Old French < Old Low Franconian; compare Old English daroth, Old High German tart, Old Norse darrathr spear, lance

Word History and Origins

Origin of dart¹

C14: from Old French, of Germanic origin; related to Old English daroth spear, Old High German tart dart

Origin of dart²

from Middle English darce , from Late Latin dardus , dart, javelin

Example Sentences

The inquest heard a dog-handler was called to the scene and used a sedation dart to remove Zeus from the garden.

From BBC

A huge smile followed and a gesture to his family as the darts sensation revelled in his 10th trophy of 2024.

From BBC

A sixth Scotland try came early in the new half when Horne intercepted and darted away.

From BBC

Tate McDermott’s dart around the fringes punctured the hosts close in for Australia’s second.

From BBC

Bellamy is as energetic on the touchline as he was as a player and, whenever he darts back to his seat in the dugout, he is usually doing so to consult Cremers and his screen.

From BBC

Related Words

• bound
• dash
• flash
• fling
• flit
• float
• gallop
• hurry
• hurtle
• scamper
• scoot
• scurry
• skim
• sprint