(tarts, tarting, tarted)
1.
A tart is a shallow pastry case with a filling of food, especially sweet food.
...jam tarts.
...a slice of home-made tart.
N-VAR
2.
If something such as fruit is tart, it has a sharp taste.
The blackberries were a bit too tart on their own, so we stewed them gently with some apples.
= sharp
ADJ
3.
A tart remark or way of speaking is sharp and unpleasant, often in a way that is rather cruel.
The words were more tart than she had intended...
= acid
ADJ
• tartly
'There are other patients on the ward, Lovell,' the staff nurse reminded her tartly.
ADV: usu ADV with v
4.
If someone refers to a woman or girl as a tart, they are criticizing her because they think she is sexually immoral or dresses in a way that makes her look sexually immoral. (INFORMAL, OFFENSIVE)
N-COUNT [disapproval]