tart

¹

[tahrt]

adjective

tarter, tartest 

1. sharp to the taste; sour or acid.

   Tart apples are best for pie.

   Synonyms: piquant, acrid, astringent
   Antonyms: mellow, bland, sugary, sweet

2. sharp in character, spirit, or expression; cutting; biting.

   a tart remark.

   Synonyms: acrimonious, acerbic, caustic, barbed, sarcastic
   Antonyms: benign, gracious, gentle, kind, sweet

tart

²

[tahrt]

noun

1. a small pie filled with cooked fruit or other sweetened preparation, usually having no top crust.

2. a covered pie containing fruit or the like.

3. Slang.,  a prostitute or sexually promiscuous woman.

verb phrase

1. tart up,  to adorn, dress, or decorate, especially in a flamboyant manner.

   The old restaurant was tarted up to look like a Viennese café.

tart

¹

/ tɑːt /

adjective

1. (of a flavour, food, etc) sour, acid, or astringent

2. cutting, sharp, or caustic

   a tart remark

tart

²

/ tɑːt /

noun

1. a pastry case often having no top crust, with a sweet or savoury filling

tart

³

/ tɑːt /

noun

1. informal,  a promiscuous woman, esp a prostitute: often a term of abuse See also tart up

Other Word Forms

• tartishly adverb
• tartly adverb
• tartish adjective
• tartness noun
• tarty adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of tart¹

First recorded before 1000; Middle English; Old English teart “sharp, rough”; akin to Dutch tarten “to defy,” Middle High German traz “defiance”

Origin of tart²

First recorded in 1350–1400; 1905–10 tart ² for def. 3; Middle English tarte, from Middle French; compare Medieval Latin tarta

Word History and Origins

Origin of tart¹

Old English teart rough; related to Dutch tarten to defy, Middle High German traz defiance

Origin of tart²

C14: from Old French tarte, of uncertain origin; compare Medieval Latin tarte

Origin of tart³

C19: shortened from _sweetheart

Example Sentences

Tangy, herbaceous pickle brine paired with sweet yet tart lemonade is a summertime match made in heaven.

From Salon

Proof of that is in the presence of Meghan’s beloved beagle Guy, still loafing in the corner as our host roasts chicken and throws together caramelized onion tarts.

From Salon

Lime and maple pull in opposite directions — tart and lush — and the squash just hangs in the middle, like it’s always belonged there.

From Salon

A spoonful of jam between the cream layers is never a bad idea — especially something tart, like sour cherry or rhubarb.

From Salon

Crunchy and smooth shrimp croquettes, bright and flaky Basque ham and asparagus tarts, briny confit tuna and conserved-tomato toast, crisp then juicy, and pistachio white chocolate mousse.

From Salon