tart
tart /t'ɑːrt/ (tarts tarting tarted)
1 [N-VAR]
A tart is a shallow pastry case with a filling of food, especially sweet food.
...jam tarts.
...a slice of home-made tart.
2 [ADJ]
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
3 [ADJ]
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
● tartly [ADV] usu ADV with v
`There are other patients on the ward, Lovell,' the staff nurse reminded her tartly.
4 [N-COUNT]
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)tart up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V-ed P, also V n P
If someone tarts up a room or building, they try to improve its appearance, often with the result that it looks vulgar. (BRIT INFORMAL)
`Have you ever wondered why British Rail would rather tart up their stations than improve services?' he asked.
...tarted-up pubs.
1 [N-VAR]
A tart is a shallow pastry case with a filling of food, especially sweet food.
...jam tarts.
...a slice of home-made tart.
2 [ADJ]
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
3 [ADJ]
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
● tartly [ADV] usu ADV with v
`There are other patients on the ward, Lovell,' the staff nurse reminded her tartly.
4 [N-COUNT]
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)tart up
[PHRASAL VERB] V P n (not pron), V-ed P, also V n P
If someone tarts up a room or building, they try to improve its appearance, often with the result that it looks vulgar. (BRIT INFORMAL)
`Have you ever wondered why British Rail would rather tart up their stations than improve services?' he asked.
...tarted-up pubs.