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fart

n. · v.
US //ˈfɑɹt// UK //fˈɑːt// fart
  1. 1 bodily gas (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Vulgar

    the gas that comes out of your bottom.

    an emission of digestive gases from the anus.

    Example

    The dog let out a loud fart and then ran out of the room.

    Example

    The comedian relied heavily on crude jokes about farts to get a reaction from the younger members of the audience.

    Usage

    Countable noun.
  2. 2 an annoying person (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Vulgar

    an annoying, boring, or unpleasant person.

    a derogatory term for an irritating, foolish, or contemptible person, often used in the phrase 'old fart'.

    Example

    Stop being such a boring old fart and come out to the party with us.

    Example

    He was often dismissed as a grumpy old fart who refused to acknowledge any technological progress made in the last decade.

    Teacher's tip

    The phrase 'old fart' is a very common collocation used to describe an elderly person who is stubborn or out of touch.
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  1. 3 to release gas (v.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate Informal Vulgar

    to let gas out of your bottom.

    to expel intestinal gas through the anus.

    Example

    He tried not to fart during the quiet part of the movie.

    Example

    The patient complained of bloating and the frequent need to fart after consuming dairy products.

    Usage

    Intransitive verb.
    • pass gas
Origin

From Middle English ferten, farten, from Old English feortan, from Proto-West Germanic fertan, from Proto-Germanic fertaną, from Proto-Indo-European perd-. The noun is from Middle English fert, fart, from the verb.

Idioms6 entries

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