dart

1 of 2

noun

ˈdärt 

1

a

archaic : a light spear

b(1)

: a small missile usually with a pointed shaft at one end and feathers at the other

(2)

darts plural in form but singular in construction : a game in which darts are thrown at a target

2

a

: something projected with sudden speed

especially : a sharp glance

b

: something causing sudden pain or distress

darts of sarcasm

3

: something with a slender pointed shaft or outline

specifically : a stitched tapering fold in a garment

4

: a quick movement

made a dart for the door

dart

2 of 2

verb

darted; darting; darts

transitive verb

1

: to throw with a sudden movement

2

: to thrust or move with sudden speed

3

: to shoot with a dart containing a usually tranquilizing drug

intransitive verb

: to move suddenly or rapidly

darted across the street

Synonyms

Noun

• affront
• barb
• brickbat
• cut
• dig
• dis [slang]
• diss
• epithet
• gird
• indignity
• insult
• name
• offense
• offence
• outrage
• personality
• poke
• put-down
• sarcasm
• slap
• slight
• slur

Verb

• dance
• flick
• flicker
• flirt
• flit
• flitter
• flutter
• zip

Examples of dart in a Sentence

Noun

He was hit with a poisoned dart.

Her favorite game is darts.

a quick dart to the left

Verb

We saw a deer dart across the road.

The frog darted its tongue at a fly.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The new Concord location will feature a variety of attractions, including darts, pool tables, pinball, Buck Hunter and arcade games A specific opening date has not yet been set. —Heidi Finley, Charlotte Observer, 17 Apr. 2025

The firms with the best people tend to attract a high volume of applicants—and the general quality of the applicant pool is so high that throwing a dart at the list of potential employees will likely land you a great hire. —Verne Harnish, Forbes.com, 16 Apr. 2025

Verb

My eyes darted left and right, searching for my assailant in the storm. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 14 Apr. 2025

On the other hand, your pup will dart to your room and wolf these down instantly. —Julian Chokkattu, Wired News, 11 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, of Germanic origin; akin to Old High German tart dart, Old English daroth

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1573, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Phrases Containing dart

• dart a glance/look at
• egg and dart
• poison dart frog

Rhymes for dart

• art
• cart
• carte
• chart
• fart
• haart
• mart
• part
• smart
• start
• tart
• apart

Kids Definition

dart

1 of 2 noun

ˈdärt 

1

a

: a small pointed object that is meant to be thrown

b

plural : a game in which darts are thrown at a target

2

: something causing a sudden pain

3

: a stitched fold in a garment

4

: a quick movement

made a dart for the door

dart

2 of 2 verb

: to move or shoot out suddenly and quickly

the toad darted its tongue at a fly

darted through the traffic