fart

American  

[fahrt] / fɑrt /

noun

1. a release of intestinal gas through the anus; a flatus.

2. an irritating or foolish person.

---

verb (used without object)

1. to expel intestinal gas through the anus; break wind.

verb phrase

1. fart around to spend time foolishly or aimlessly.

fart British  

/ fɑːt /

noun

1. an emission of intestinal gas from the anus, esp an audible one

2. a contemptible person

---

verb

1. to expel intestinal gas from the anus; to break wind

2. 1. to behave foolishly or aimlessly

   2. to waste time

Etymology

Origin of fart

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English ferten, farten (verb), fert, fart (noun); cognate with Greek pérdein (verb), pordḗ (noun)

Explanation

We don’t all like to admit it, but we all fart. That is, we all pass smelly gas out of our anus. Kids — and a few adults too — find farting funny. If someone lets out a long fart during church or class, someone is bound to laugh. However, the teacher probably won’t laugh, and the culprit could be in big trouble. Be careful about accusing others of farting, because one of the oldest rules of the schoolyard is “He who smelt it, dealt it.” A less slangy word for fart is flatulence.

Example Sentences

“There are people who are like, ‘I fart constantly, I will break your sensor, please let me be in your study,’” says Hall.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

Hall, frustrated, told his colleagues, “I bet if I fart on it, it will work.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 20, 2026

And what for Imrie, the beloved veteran actress who stole the show with her nervous fart in episode three?

From BBC • Nov. 7, 2025

Fogelman: It’s also a lot of fart jokes.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 19, 2025

And then all of a sudden she let out the biggest, loudest, smelliest fart in the history of farts.

From "Wonder" by R. J. Palacio