tart
/tɑ:t/
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Adjective:
- Sharp or sour in taste: Having a pleasantly sharp or acidic flavor, often like that of certain fruits.
- Sharp or biting in tone or manner: Used to describe speech, a remark, or a person's disposition that is cutting, harsh, or sarcastic.
Noun:
- A type of pastry: A shallow, open-faced pastry shell, typically with a filling of fruit, custard, or other sweet or savory ingredients.
- A woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money: (Slang, derogatory) A prostitute.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- The lemonade was pleasantly tart and refreshing.
- She gave him a tart reply that left him speechless.
Noun (Pastry):
- She baked an apple tart for dessert.
- The bakery sells individual fruit tarts.
Noun (Slang):
- (This usage is offensive and generally avoided in polite or formal contexts.)
Advanced Usage
- "tart up" (phrasal verb): To dress or decorate something in a gaudy, flashy, or overly elaborate way to make it more attractive or appealing, often superficially.
- They tried to tart up the old café with neon signs.
- She tarted herself up for the party.
Variants and Related Words
- Tartly (adverb): In a sharp or biting manner.
- "That's not helpful," she said tartly.
- Tartness (noun): The quality of being tart.
- The tartness of the green apple made my mouth pucker.
Synonyms
- Adjective (taste): Sour, tangy, acidic, sharp, piquant.
- Adjective (manner): Sharp, biting, caustic, acerbic, cutting, sarcastic.
- Noun (pastry): Flan, pie, pasty.
- Noun (slang): (Derogatory terms are omitted; synonyms are context-specific and often offensive.)
Related Phrasal Verbs
- Tart up: As defined in 'Advanced Usage'.
Related Idioms
Adjective
- harsh
- sharp criticism
- a sharp-worded exchange
- a tart remark
- tasting sour like a lemon
Noun
- a pastry cup with a filling of fruit or custard and no top crust
- a small open pie with a fruit filling
- a woman who engages in sexual intercourse for money