fart

American  

[fahrt] / fɑrt /

noun

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

2. an irritating or foolish person.

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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

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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

For youngsters, a Fart Blaster makes the kind of noise its name suggests, while a McLaren F1 car Lego set is probably targeting an older audience.

From BBC • Nov. 12, 2024

Welcome to this week’s edition of the Surge—an elite political newsletter, to be sure, but nowhere near elite enough to be invited to one of Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s Fart Dinners.

From Slate • Jul. 15, 2023

But it’s Captain Underpants and the Fart Quest series that got her son into books.

From Washington Post • Apr. 10, 2023

“They were facing a year in prison for doing ‘The Fart Song.’”

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 12, 2022

What’s not okay is Old Fart McGuinty sitting at my regular table, with my lady friends, and holding court like King Arthur.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen