adj
Uncommon
tart
taht
Tart (adj) means having a sharp, sour taste. Example: “The lemon sauce was pleasantly tart.”
adj
1
Having a sharp, sour taste.
"The lemon sauce was pleasantly tart."
"Green apples tend to taste tarter than red ones."
noun
1
A small open pastry case filled with a sweet or savoury filling.
"She baked a jam tart for dessert."
"The bakery's egg custard tarts sell out by noon."
2
(informal, dated, derogatory) A woman regarded as sexually promiscuous.
"The word "tart" is considered old-fashioned and insulting today."
How to use tart
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither a sour taste, or a small open pastry — the third meaning (an insult toward women) is dated and offensive, best avoided.
Common mistake
Using "tart" to describe a woman is old-fashioned slang and can come across as sexist; stick to the food and taste senses.
Common pairings
tart flavour
jam tart
fruit tart
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Word forms
- Plural
- tarts
- Third person singular
- tarts
- Past tense
- tarted
- Comparative
- tarter
- Superlative
- tartest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The lemon sauce was pleasantly _____.
Etymology
From Old English teart, meaning sharp or severe, going back to a Germanic root related to "tear."
Synonyms
View more →
prostitute
harlot
bawd
cocotte
cyprian
fancy woman
working girl
sporting lady
lady of pleasure
woman of the street
lemony
lemonlike
Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for tart
See all rhymes for tart →Frequently asked questions
What does “tart” mean?
The word “tart” means having a sharp, sour taste. In plain terms, either a sour taste, or a small open pastry — the third meaning (an insult toward women) is dated and offensive, best avoided.
How do you pronounce “tart”?
“Tart” is pronounced taht (/tɑɹt/ in IPA).
How do you use “tart” in a sentence?
Here is “tart” used in a sentence: “The lemon sauce was pleasantly tart.”
What part of speech is “tart”?
Depending on how it is used, “tart” can be an adjective and a noun.
Where does the word “tart” come from?
The word “tart” comes from Old English. From Old English teart, meaning sharp or severe, going back to a Germanic root related to "tear.".
Is “tart” a common word?
“Tart” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “tart” have?
“Tart” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: having a sharp, sour taste.
