tart

1
[ tahrt ]
/ tɑrt /

adjective, tart·er, tart·est.

sharp to the taste; sour or acid: Tart apples are best for pie.
sharp in character, spirit, or expression; cutting; biting: a tart remark.

Origin of tart

1
before 1000; Middle English; Old English teart sharp, rough; akin to Dutch tarten to defy, Middle High German traz defiance

OTHER WORDS FROM tart

tart·ish, adjective tart·ish·ly, adverb tart·ly, adverb tart·ness, noun

Example sentences from the Web for tartness

British Dictionary definitions for tartness (1 of 3)

tart 1
/ (tɑːt) /

noun

a pastry case often having no top crust, with a sweet or savoury filling

Word Origin for tart

C14: from Old French tarte, of uncertain origin; compare Medieval Latin tarte

British Dictionary definitions for tartness (2 of 3)

tart 2
/ (tɑːt) /

adjective

(of a flavour, food, etc) sour, acid, or astringent
cutting, sharp, or caustic a tart remark

Derived forms of tart

tartish, adjective tartishly, adverb tartly, adverb tartness, noun

Word Origin for tart

Old English teart rough; related to Dutch tarten to defy, Middle High German traz defiance

British Dictionary definitions for tartness (3 of 3)

tart 3
/ (tɑːt) /

noun

informal a promiscuous woman, esp a prostitute: often a term of abuse See also tart up

Derived forms of tart

tarty, adjective

Word Origin for tart

C19: shortened from sweetheart