What does fart mean?
A fart is an emission of gas from the digestive tract through the anus, produced by bacterial fermentation in the gut and swallowed air. As a noun it names the gas itself or the act of releasing it, and as a verb ('to fart') it describes that act. The word is informal and mildly vulgar, though far from obscene: it dominates children's humor, everyday banter, and popular culture, while medical or polite contexts substitute terms like flatulence or flatus. What makes fart linguistically remarkable is its pedigree — it descends directly from Old English and has remained essentially unchanged for over a thousand years, making it one of the oldest continuously used words in the language. Its very durability suggests that this humble bodily function has always occupied a permanent place in human speech and laughter. Common idioms include 'break wind', 'cut the cheese', and 'silent but deadly'.
An emission of intestinal gas from the anus; the gas so emitted.
"The lecture was interrupted by an unmistakable fart from the back row."
Informal and slightly vulgar; use 'flatulence' in medical or formal contexts.
To expel intestinal gas through the anus; to break wind.
"He farted and then blamed the dog."
Informal register only.
Standard pluralization applies when referring to multiple instances of the gas or act.
"The comedy sketch was full of farts and slapstick."
The word 'fart' is one of the oldest words in English — it appears virtually unchanged in texts over a thousand years old, proving some things never stop being funny.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of fart
Fart derives from Old English 'feortan' (to break wind), making it one of the oldest attested words in the English language, with roots in Germanic language. It shares origins with related forms in other Germanic languages, and its connection to the Indo-European root *perd- links it distantly to Greek 'perdomai' and other ancient words for breaking wind. The word has remained remarkably stable in form and meaning throughout English history, appearing in medieval texts with essentially its modern spelling.
Related word forms
How fart is actually used
Fart is firmly informal and considered mildly vulgar — inappropriate in formal writing or professional settings, where 'flatulence' or 'passing wind' is preferred. Despite its low register, it is not obscene and appears freely in children's humor and casual conversation across the English-speaking world.
Easily confused with fart
A fort is a fortified building or military structure, whereas a fart is an emission of intestinal gas — they share a similar sound but nothing else.