What does clarting mean?
'Clarting' is an informal British word, chiefly heard in Northern England, describing the act of smearing or covering something — or someone — with mud, dirt, or any sticky substance. It derives from the dialect noun and verb 'clart', which denotes thick mud or clayey grime, and its adjective form 'clarty' describes anything besmirched with it. A mother might scold a child for 'clarting' their new trousers, or complain about a dog 'clarting' through the house after a walk. The word also has an extended figurative sense: 'clarting about' or 'clarting on' means behaving clumsily, fussily, or in a time-wasting way, much like 'messing about'. Because it lives almost entirely within spoken regional dialect, it remains unfamiliar to most English speakers outside the North, giving it a distinctive local flavour. Its earthy connotations make it vivid for describing messy, hands-on situations.
verb (present participle/gerund)The act of smearing or covering something or someone with mud or sticky dirt; also, moving noisily or clumsily through mud. Derived from the Northern English dialect word 'clart'.
- Smearing or covering someone or something with mud, dirt, or any sticky substance.
- Behaving in a clumsy, fussy, or time-wasting way; messing about (in the phrase 'clarting about' or 'clarting on').
"The dog came clarting into the kitchen, leaving muddy paw prints across the floor."
"Stop clarting your brother with that muddy sponge."
"He was clarting about in the garage all afternoon instead of fixing the fence."
In Northern England, if your mum says you've been 'clarting about', you haven't just got dirty — you've been wasting time and mucking about in the mud, all in one word.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of clarting
'Clarting' comes from the Northern English dialect verb 'to clart', meaning to smear with mud, which itself derives from the dialect noun 'clart' — thick, sticky mud or dirt. The term has been recorded in Northern English dialect since at least the late Middle Ages and appears in Joseph Wright's comprehensive 'English Dialect Dictionary' (1898–1905). It is related to similar forms in Scots and northern dialects and likely shares ancient Germanic roots with words for clay and sticky earth.
Related word forms
How clarting is actually used
'Clarting' is informal and strongly regional, rooted in the dialect of Northern England (Yorkshire, Lancashire, Northumberland) and parts of Scotland. It carries a homely, often affectionate or exasperated tone — typically used by parents complaining about children or pets tracking in dirt. It would be out of place in formal writing.
Easily confused with clarting
'Clattering' means making a loud rattling noise, while 'clarting' refers to smearing with mud or sticky dirt.
'Clogging' means blocking or obstructing, whereas 'clarting' means coating something in wet mud or filth.