dart

American  

[dahrt] / dɑrt /

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. (used with a singular verb) darts, 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.

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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 British  

/ 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

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verb

1. to move or throw swiftly and suddenly; shoot

   she darted across the room

dart ² British  

/ dɑːt /

noun

1. any of various tropical and semitropical marine fish

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Other Word Forms

• darting
  adjective
• dartingly
  adverb
• dartingness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of dart

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

Explanation

A dart is a tiny missile with a pointy end that can be a weapon or part of a game, like those pointy things that people throw at dartboards. If a person darts, it just means she’s moving quickly. A dart can be thrown or fired by blowing through a contraption, like when people who study big animals shoot a tranquilizer dart at a lion so they can put it to sleep without getting close. Darts can be weapons or part of a game often found in bars. Just as a dart moves quickly, a person can dart if they move quickly. Bees tend to dart around in the air. In football, a quick running back darts to avoid defenders

Example Sentences

After a missed match dart by Littler, a deciding leg was needed to separate the English rivals.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

The bear was eventually hit with a dart and fell asleep on top of a cinder block wall dividing two properties, its body straddling either side.

From Los Angeles Times • May 4, 2026

Even after I entered elementary school, I’d still dart into my room like I was running from a ghost anytime I heard anyone mention “family planning officers.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026

But none matched 21st-plus prop Rhys Carre, whose dummy, dart and dance to the line for Wales against Ireland was one of the scores of the Six Nations, continuing his backline side-hustle.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Her eyes flit over to me and then, when she sees my expression, dart back at regular intervals.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen

Related Words

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