tart

Everyday

1. A tart is an open pie made of pastry with a sweet or savoury filling, like jam or fruit. tree →
2. (adjective) Tart means sour or sharp in taste, like a lemon or a green apple. tree →
3. (adjective) A tart reply is short and unkind. tree →
4. (informal, UK) To tart something up is to decorate it or make it look nicer quickly. tree →
5. (rude, offensive) Tart is an insulting word for a woman; do not use it. tree →

In the lessons

In cooking and everyday life: jam tarts, apple tarts, Bakewell tart. In fractions lessons a tart may be cut into equal pieces. In stories a «tart answer» shows irritation. Phrases: «jam tart», «tart up».

Examples

• We made jam tarts in cooking club. tree →
• The apple tart was cut into eight equal slices. tree →
• These green apples taste a bit tart. tree →
• Lemon juice gives the sauce a tart flavour. tree →
• «I'm busy,» she said in a tart voice. tree →
• They tarted up the old shop with fresh paint. tree →
• The baker sold 24 tarts and had 6 left. tree →
• In places the air was darkened by showers of lobster-patties, white puddings, sausages, tarts, and all sorts of sweetmeats, or with pieces of gold and silver, diamonds and pearls. tree →

Note

Countable noun: one tart, two tarts. The rude meaning is offensive; never call a person a tart. «Tart» (sour) is similar to «sharp» or «sour». In maths: if a tart is cut into 8 equal slices, each slice is one eighth.