To dart means to move suddenly and quickly in a specific direction. A lizard might dart across a sidewalk when it senses danger. A soccer player darts around defenders, changing direction in quick bursts. When you're playing tag, you might dart left to avoid being caught.

The movement is fast, brief, and purposeful, like an arrow shooting toward its target. A dart is also a small pointed object you throw at a target in the game of darts.

You can also dart your eyes somewhere, meaning to glance quickly: a student caught daydreaming might dart her eyes back to the teacher when called upon. Unlike running steadily across a field, darting involves quick acceleration and often a change in direction. A hummingbird darts from flower to flower. A rabbit darts into its burrow.

The word captures that unique quality of sudden, focused speed rather than steady movement.