dart
B1Neutral. Used in everyday, technical, and sporting contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A small, slender pointed missile, often with feathers or fins at the tail, designed to be thrown by hand or shot from a blowgun.
A sudden, rapid movement in a specific direction. Also a small fold or tuck in clothing. Also a small, pointed object used in games (darts).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
As a noun, it primarily denotes an object for throwing or the sudden movement itself. As a verb, it means to move suddenly and quickly.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The game of 'darts' is strongly associated with British pub culture. The verb is equally common in both dialects.
Connotations
In BrE, the noun 'dart' immediately evokes the pub game. In AmE, the primary association may be the missile or the sudden movement.
Frequency
Slightly higher frequency in BrE due to the cultural ubiquity of the game 'darts'.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Subject] darts [Prepositional Phrase: to/into/out of/behind NP][Subject] darts [NP] a glance/lookVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “dart a glance/look”
- “look daggers at someone (related concept of sharp, piercing look)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. Possibly 'dart out for a quick lunch'.
Academic
Rare in formal writing. Might appear in biology (e.g., 'The fish darted through the coral').
Everyday
Common for describing quick, sudden movements of people or animals.
Technical
Used in sewing/tailoring ('a dart in a dress'), in zoology, and in the sport/game of darts.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The mouse darted behind the skirting board.
- She darted a nervous look at her boss.
- The children were darting about the playground.
American English
- The squirrel darted across the road.
- His eyes darted toward the exit.
- The quarterback darted through the defensive line.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- He threw the dart at the board.
- The rabbit darted into its hole.
- She made a dart for the door when the bell rang.
- A fish darted away from the shadow.
- His gaze darted nervously between the two documents.
- The tailor added a dart to the bodice for a better fit.
- The report is a dart aimed at the government's complacency.
- Memories darted, unbidden, through her mind.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DART = Dash Away Rapidly, Today!
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME/ATTENTION IS A MOVING OBJECT ('My eyes darted around the room'; 'Thoughts dart through one's mind').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'dart' as a game (дро́тики) and the verb 'to dart' (метну́ться, рвану́ть). The sewing term 'dart' is вы́тачка.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'dart' for sustained movement (e.g., 'He darted for an hour' – incorrect). It implies a brief, sudden action.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'dart' used as a technical term?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While often used for animals and people, it can describe the movement of inanimate things like eyes, glances, or light.
'Dart' suggests a lighter, quicker, more sudden or zigzag movement. 'Dash' implies more speed and force, often in a straight line.
Yes. The noun form refers to the object or the movement itself. The verb form describes the act of moving that way.
It is treated as singular when referring to the game ('Darts is popular in pubs'). 'Dart' (singular) is one piece of equipment for the game.