darts
C1Informal, neutral
Definition
Meaning
A competitive game in which small pointed missiles (darts) are thrown at a circular target (dartboard) for points.
The sport or pub game of darts; also refers to the thrown projectiles themselves.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Almost always treated as a singular noun when referring to the game ('Darts is popular in pubs'), but plural when referring to the objects ('He bought three new darts'). The plural form 'darts' is the common lemma.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The game is culturally more entrenched in British/Irish pub culture. The word 'oche' (throwing line) is standard UK darts terminology but rarely used in US contexts.
Connotations
UK: Strongly associated with pub culture, working-class leisure, televised professional tournaments. US: Often seen as a casual bar game, less professionalized, sometimes perceived as a British import.
Frequency
Higher frequency in UK English, particularly in sports/news contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
play + dartsbe good at + dartsthrow + a dart/dartscompete in + dartsVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Right on the money like a darts champion.”
- “He threw a verbal dart.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in context of sports merchandising or pub/bar management.
Academic
Very rare, possibly in sports sociology or cultural studies.
Everyday
Common in social/leisure contexts; 'Fancy a game of darts?'
Technical
Used in sports commentary, rules, and equipment specifications.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He darted out of the pub before last orders.
American English
- Her eyes darted toward the exit.
adverb
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
adjective
British English
- N/A
American English
- N/A
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We play darts in the pub.
- He has a new darts board.
- Darts is a popular game in British pubs.
- She threw the dart and hit the triple twenty.
- The darts championship was broadcast live on television.
- He's considering taking up darts professionally.
- The pub's darts team has an unassailable lead in the local league.
- Precision and steady nerves are paramount in competitive darts.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DARTS: Darts Are Really Thrown Sharp.
Conceptual Metaphor
ACCURACY IS HITTING THE TARGET (e.g., 'Her argument hit the bullseye').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Не переводите 'darts' как 'дротики' в контексте игры — корректно 'дартс'. 'Дротики' — это generic throwing darts, не обязательно для игры.
- Избегайте использования глагола 'кидать' с игрой — 'play darts' или 'throw a dart'.
Common Mistakes
- Using a singular verb with 'darts' when referring to the game (Incorrect: 'Darts are fun.' Correct: 'Darts is fun.').
- Confusing 'dart' (singular object/quick movement) with 'darts' (the game).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'darts' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is grammatically singular when referring to the game ('Darts is fun') but plural when referring to the objects ('These darts are heavy').
'Dart' is a single pointed missile or a sudden, quick movement. 'Darts' is the name of the game/sport or refers to multiple projectiles.
No, darts is not currently an Olympic sport, though it is a professional sport with major televised tournaments like the PDC World Championship.
It has deep roots in British pub culture as an accessible, social game that requires skill but minimal equipment, and has been boosted by professional televised leagues.