# tart

/ˈtɑɹt/ (US) · /tˈɑːt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/tart
Updated: 2026-05-06

## Definition

having a sharp, sour taste like a lemon or an unripe apple. You can also use it to describe a way of speaking that is sharp or slightly unkind.

For teachers: having a sharp, pungent, or sour taste; acidic. When describing speech or tone, it implies a biting, cutting, or sharp quality that is often critical.

## Examples

- The green apples are very tart.
- She added a little extra sugar to the pie because the berries were quite tart.
- The critic's tart review of the performance left the young director questioning his creative choices for the remainder of the season.

## Usage notes

- Often used to describe fruit, wine, or a person's tone of voice.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.