Toot vs. Fart — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Toot is a mild, euphemistic term for the release of intestinal gas, while fart is a more blunt, informal term for the same act.
Difference Between Toot and Fart
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Key Differences
Toot is often considered a polite or childish way of referring to the act of passing gas. It's a term that is softer and less likely to be considered rude or vulgar in conversation. When someone says "toot," it can also carry a humorous or light-hearted tone. This word is also onomatopoeic, mimicking the sound that it describes.
Fart, on the other hand, is the more common and crude term for expelling gas from the digestive system through the anus. It is a word that is informally used among friends or in casual settings but is generally considered impolite or vulgar in formal situations. Adults might avoid using "fart" in professional or polite company due to its bluntness.
In literature or media intended for children, "toot" is the preferred term because it is less offensive and can be seen as more appropriate for young audiences. It sanitizes the act, making it more acceptable to discuss in a wider variety of settings, such as classrooms or children's books.
" Fart" may also be used scientifically and medically, albeit less formally, to describe the process of releasing gas, which is a natural bodily function. This term is less likely to be used in formal medical literature, where terms like "flatulence" or "intestinal gas" are preferred for clarity and professionalism.
While both "toot" and "fart" describe the same bodily function, the context in which they are used is key to understanding the difference. "Toot" softens the act, making it more palatable in polite society, whereas "fart" is direct and may be off-putting to some due to its perceived vulgarity.
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Comparison Chart
Connotation
Mild and euphemistic
Blunt and informal
Social Acceptability
More acceptable in public
Less acceptable in public
Use in Media
Preferred for children's media
Used in adult or informal media
Tone
Light-hearted and humorous
Direct and potentially vulgar
Onomatopoeic
Yes
Less so
Compare with Definitions
Toot
Euphemism for gas
The child giggled after he let out a small toot.
Fart
A loud bodily noise
The fart echoed embarrassingly in the quiet room.
Toot
A soft, short sound
Every time the clown honked his nose, it made a toot.
Fart
Vulgar slang for gas
The dog farted loudly, surprising everyone in the room.
Toot
Slang for playing a horn
He gave a quick toot on the trumpet to start the show.
Fart
Emit wind from the anus.
Toot
A brief, high-pitched sound
The toy train emitted a toot as it rounded the corner.
Fart
Waste time on silly or trivial things.
Toot
A short, sharp sound made by a horn, trumpet, or similar instrument
The blue van's familiar toots
An accidental toot from the saxophonist
Fart
An emission of wind from the anus.
Toot
A snort of a drug, especially cocaine
He still likes a toot
Fart
A boring or contemptible person
He was such an old fart
Toot
A spell of drinking and lively enjoyment; a spree
A sales manager on a toot
Fart
To expel intestinal gas through the anus; break wind.
Toot
Sound (a horn or similar) with a short, sharp sound
An impatient motorist tooted a horn
Fart
An often audible discharge of intestinal gas.
Toot
Snort (cocaine)
The drawbacks of tooting cocaine
Fart
An annoying or foolish person.
Toot
To sound a horn or whistle in short blasts.
Fart
To emit digestive gases from the anus; to flatulate.
Toot
To make the sound of a horn or whistle blown in short blasts or a sound resembling it.
Fart
To waste time with idle and inconsequential tasks; to go about one's activities in a lackadaisical manner; to be lazy or over-relaxed in one's manner or bearing.
Toot
(Slang) To snort cocaine.
Fart
To emit (fumes, gases, etc.).
Toot
To blow or sound (a horn or whistle).
Fart
(informal) An emission of digestive gases from the anus; a flatus.
I think I heard a fart. Was it you, Nigel?
Silent farts are often the smelliest.
Toot
To sound (a blast, for example) on a horn or whistle.
Fart
An irritating person; a fool.
Toot
(Slang) To snort (cocaine).
Fart
(usually as "old fart") An elderly person; especially one perceived to hold old-fashioned views.
Toot
A blast, as of a horn.
Fart
A reflex that expels intestinal gas through the anus
Toot
(Slang) A drinking binge.
Fart
Expel intestinal gases through the anus
Toot
(Slang) Cocaine, especially a small amount snorted at one time.
Fart
Expel intestinal gas
He tried to discreetly fart while alone in the elevator.
Toot
The noise of a horn or whistle.
He gave a little toot of the horn, to get their attention.
Fart
Informal term for flatulence
He laughed after his loud fart during the movie.
Toot
A fart; flatus.
Fart
Crude description for gas
The children couldn't stop giggling about the fart.
Toot
Cocaine.
Toot
A portion of cocaine that a person snorts.
Toot
(informal) A spree of drunkenness.
Toot
Rubbish; tat.
I'm not paying fifty pounds for this load of old toot!
Toot
(internet) A message on the social networking software Mastodon.
Toot
A toilet.
Toot
To stand out, or be prominent.
Toot
To peep; to look narrowly.
Toot
To see; to spy.
Toot
(slang) To flatulate.
Toot
To make the sound of a horn or whistle.
Toot
To cause a horn or whistle to make its sound.
Toot
(intransitive) Of a queen bee: to make a high-pitched sound during certain stages of development.
Toot
(slang) To go on a drinking binge.
Toot
(slang) To snort (a recreational drug).
Toot
(internet) To post a message on a Mastodon instance (a self-hosted version of the networking software).
Toot
To stand out, or be prominent.
Toot
To peep; to look narrowly.
For birds in bushes tooting.
Toot
To see; to spy.
Toot
To blow or sound a horn; to make similar noise by contact of the tongue with the root of the upper teeth at the beginning and end of the sound; also, to give forth such a sound, as a horn when blown.
Tooting horns and rattling teams of mail coaches.
Toot
To cause to sound, as a horn, the note being modified at the beginning and end as if by pronouncing the letter t; to blow; to sound.
Toot
A blast of a horn
Toot
Revelry in drinking; a merry drinking party
Toot
Make a loud noise;
The horns of the taxis blared
Toot
A gentle release of air
The balloon deflated with a faint toot.
Common Curiosities
Are toot and fart synonyms?
Yes, they mean the same bodily function.
Is it ever medically appropriate to say fart?
In casual medical discussions, possibly.
Do toot and fart have the same origin?
No, they have different etymological backgrounds.
What is a toot?
A mild term for passing gas.
Which term is less offensive, toot or fart?
Toot is considered less offensive.
Can toot also refer to a sound other than flatulence?
Yes, like a horn's sound.
Can fart be used in formal writing?
It's not recommended; "flatulence" is preferable.
In which settings is it better to avoid both terms?
In professional or very formal settings.
Do both words toot and fart have the same level of formality?
No, toot is more formal than fart.
Are there contexts where fart is preferred over toot?
Among adults in informal settings, yes.
What does fart mean?
It's an informal term for releasing intestinal gas.
Is toot an appropriate word for children?
Yes, it's considered child-friendly.
Why would someone choose toot over fart?
To be more polite or when speaking with children.
What are alternatives to saying toot or fart?
"Passing gas" or "flatulence" are alternatives.
Is fart considered rude?
It can be seen as impolite in many contexts.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.