1 B2 idiomatic informal
To make oneself look more attractive by putting on makeup or dressing up, sometimes excessively.
"She spent an hour tarting herself up before the party."
separable
tart up
B2 informal separable transitive
To make yourself or something look more attractive, often by adding decoration or makeup, with a suggestion of it being overdone or showy.
In plain English
To make something or yourself look better by adding decoration or makeup — but sometimes too much of it.
What does "tart up" mean?
2 meanings, ordered from most common to least. Color-coded by CEFR level.
2 B2 idiomatic informal
To decorate or improve the appearance of a place or object, often in a superficial or cheap-looking way.
"They tarted up the old café with some fairy lights and a new sign, but it still needs serious renovation."
separable
Usage tip
Primarily British English. Often used with a slightly critical or humorous tone, suggesting the improvement is superficial or garish. Can refer to people applying heavy makeup or to buildings/cars being decorated cheaply. The reflexive 'tart yourself up' is very common.
Words that pair with "tart up"
Natural word combinations native speakers use most often.
flat car website office outfit yourself house
How to conjugate "tart up"
The five tense forms you'll use most often.
Base
tart up
I/you/we/they
3rd person
tarts up
he/she/it
Past simple
tarted up
yesterday
Past participle
tarted up
have + pp
-ing form
tarting up
continuous
Hear "tart up" in the wild
Listen to native speakers using "tart up" in real YouTube videos — click a clip to watch it on Looplines.
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