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. (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.

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

Other Word Forms

• darting adjective
• dartingly adverb
• dartingness 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

Not content with having one major young prodigy, darts has hit the bullseye again – as Beau Greaves' win over Luke Littler demonstrates.

Read more on BBC

“Sometimes you do have days where everyone says ‘yes,’” Suggs said, before darting toward two young women walking in front of the park’s arch.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

"If I don't, he will just run away with everything. I have to dedicate everything to being a dart player and work even harder than I ever have. I want to match him."

Read more on BBC

A sleepy community center offers slot machines, pool and darts.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

A split second after “Action!” was called, I darted across the hall to a better spot and ran through the frame.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

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