Dart vs. Arrow — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on April 22, 2024
Darts are typically small, lightweight projectiles designed for throwing by hand, often used in the game of darts, while arrows are longer, heavier projectiles shot from bows, utilized mainly in archery and hunting.
Difference Between Dart and Arrow
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Key Differences
Darts are specifically crafted for precision and control in close-range target sports, featuring a pointed tip, feathered tail, and are generally made from metals or plastics. On the other hand, arrows are essential components for long-range shooting in archery, characterized by their elongated shafts, pointed heads (tips), and fletchings at the rear, usually made from wood, carbon, or aluminum.
Dart boards are the standard target in dart games, often featuring a circular design with numbered segments, while targets in archery vary from traditional bullseye to 3D animal shapes for practice and competition.
In terms of propulsion, darts rely solely on the player’s throwing force and skill to hit the target, whereas arrows are propelled by the tension and release mechanism of a bow, leveraging mechanical advantage.
The skillset required for darts involves fine motor control and precision in hand-eye coordination, emphasizing accuracy at a shorter distance. Conversely, archery demands not only precision but also strength, stability, and the ability to gauge distances, wind, and other environmental factors.
Comparison Chart
Use
Thrown by hand in dart games.
Shot from bows in archery.
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Construction
Short, light, and pointed.
Long, heavier, with a sharp tip.
Material
Metals, plastics.
Wood, carbon, aluminum.
Target Type
Dart boards with numbered segments.
Various, including bullseyes and 3D shapes.
Propulsion
Hand-thrown.
Bow tension and release.
Compare with Definitions
Dart
A small, pointed missile designed to be thrown by hand.
He hit the bullseye with the dart.
Arrow
A shafted projectile that is shot with a bow.
The archer aimed the arrow at the target.
Dart
A sudden, swift movement.
With a dart, the cat caught the mouse.
Arrow
Anything resembling an arrow in form or function.
The tower stood like an arrow pointing to the sky.
Dart
A pointed remark or glance.
He threw a dart of suspicion her way during the debate.
Arrow
A darting motion or swift flight.
The bird flew like an arrow through the trees.
Dart
An act of running quickly or suddenly.
She made a dart for the door.
Arrow
A swift and direct course.
The message went straight as an arrow to its recipient.
Dart
A tapered tuck sewn to shape a garment.
She adjusted the dart on her dress for a better fit.
Arrow
A symbol used to indicate direction.
Follow the arrow on the sign to reach the exit.
Dart
A small pointed missile that can be thrown or fired
She shot the animal with a tranquillizing dart
The classroom was littered with paper darts
Arrow
A projectile with a straight thin shaft and an arrowhead on one end and stabilizing vanes on the other; intended to be shot from a bow
Dart
An act of running somewhere suddenly and rapidly
The cat made a dart for the door
Arrow
An arrow is a fin-stabilized projectile launched by a bow. A typical arrow usually consists of a long, stiff, straight shaft with a weighty (and usually sharp and pointed) arrowhead attached to the front end, multiple fin-like stabilizers called fletchings mounted near the rear, and a slot at the rear end called nock for engaging the bowstring.
Dart
A tapered tuck stitched in a garment in order to shape it
Stitch collarband on to neck edge and stitch darts
Arrow
A weapon consisting of a thin, straight stick with a sharp point, designed to be shot from a bow
I've never used a bow and arrow
The road continues straight as an arrow
Dart
Move or run somewhere suddenly or rapidly
She darted across the street
Arrow
Move or appear to move swiftly and directly
Lights arrowed down into the airport
Dart
Shoot (an animal) with a dart, typically in order to administer a drug
He darted the leopard with a long-acting anaesthetic
Arrow
A missile having a straight thin shaft and typically having a pointed head at one end and flight-stabilizing vanes at the tail end, meant to be shot from a bow.
Dart
A pointed missile, often having tail fins, thrown by hand, shot from a blowgun, or expelled by an exploding bomb.
Arrow
Something, such as a directional symbol, that is similar to an arrow in form or function.
Dart
Darts (used with a sing. or pl. verb) Games A game in which such missiles are thrown at a target.
Arrow
To move like an arrow.
Dart
An object likened to such a missile.
Arrow
To shoot with an arrow
Arrowed a deer.
Dart
The stinger of an insect.
Arrow
A projectile consisting of a shaft, a point and a tail with stabilizing fins that is shot from a bow.
Dart
A sudden, rapid movement
He made a dart for the door.
Arrow
A sign or symbol used to indicate a direction (e.g. →).
Dart
A tapered tuck sewn to adjust the fit of a garment.
Arrow
(graph theory) A directed edge.
Dart
To move suddenly and rapidly
The dog darted across the street.
Arrow
A dart.
Dart
To be directed suddenly and rapidly
His eyes darted around the room.
Arrow
(computing) The -> symbol, which has specific meanings in various programming languages.
Dart
To cause to dart
The squirrel darted its head from side to side.
Arrow
(botany) The inflorescence or tassel of a mature sugar cane plant.
Dart
(Archaic) To throw or cast (a dart or missile).
Arrow
(intransitive) To move swiftly and directly (like an arrow).
Dart
To cast (a look or the eyes) suddenly and rapidly in a direction.
Arrow
(transitive) To let fly swiftly and directly.
Dart
To shoot (an animal, for example) with a dart, especially to inject a drug.
Arrow
To develop an inflorescence.
Dart
A pointed missile weapon, intended to be thrown by the hand; for example, a short lance or javelin.
Arrow
To navigate using the arrow keys.
Arrow left until you reach the start of the text you want to delete.
Dart
Any sharp-pointed missile weapon, such as an arrow.
Arrow
A missile weapon of offense, slender, pointed, and usually feathered and barbed, to be shot from a bow.
Dart
Anything resembling such a missile; something that pierces or wounds like such a weapon.
Arrow
A mark to indicate a direction or relation
Dart
A small object with a pointed tip at one end and feathers at the other, which is thrown at a target in the game of darts.
Dart
A cigarette.
Dart
(military) A dart-shaped target towed behind an aircraft to train shooters.
Dart
A plan or scheme.
Dart
A sudden or fast movement.
Dart
(sewing) A fold that is stitched on a garment.
Dart
A fish, the dace.
Dart
Any of various species of hesperiid butterfly.
Dart
(transitive) To throw with a sudden effort or thrust; to hurl or launch.
Dart
(transitive) To send forth suddenly or rapidly; to emit; to shoot.
The sun darts forth his beams.
Dart
(transitive) To shoot with a dart, especially a tranquilizer dart.
They had to dart the animal to get close enough to help
Dart
(intransitive) To fly or pass swiftly, like a dart; to move rapidly in one direction; to shoot out quickly.
The flying man darted eastward.
Dart
(intransitive) To start and run with speed; to shoot rapidly along.
The deer darted from the thicket.
Dart
A pointed missile weapon, intended to be thrown by the hand; a short lance; a javelin; hence, any sharp-pointed missile weapon, as an arrow.
And he [Joab] took three darts in his hand, and thrust them through the heart of Absalom.
Dart
Anything resembling a dart; anything that pierces or wounds like a dart.
The artful inquiry, whose venomed dartScarce wounds the hearing while it stabs the heart.
Dart
A spear set as a prize in running.
Dart
A fish; the dace. See Dace.
Dart
To throw with a sudden effort or thrust, as a dart or other missile weapon; to hurl or launch.
Dart
To throw suddenly or rapidly; to send forth; to emit; to shoot; as, the sun darts forth his beams.
Or what ill eyes malignant glances dart?
Dart
To fly or pass swiftly, as a dart.
Dart
To start and run with velocity; to shoot rapidly along; as, the deer darted from the thicket.
Dart
A small narrow pointed missile that is thrown or shot
Dart
A tapered tuck made in dressmaking
Dart
A sudden quick movement
Dart
Move along rapidly and lightly; skim or dart
Dart
Run or move very quickly or hastily;
She dashed into the yard
Dart
Move with sudden speed;
His forefinger darted in all directions as he spoke
Common Curiosities
What is the primary material used in making darts?
Darts are primarily made from metals like steel or plastics.
What skills are essential for playing darts?
Essential skills for darts include precision and fine motor control.
How do the weights of darts and arrows compare?
Arrows are generally heavier than darts due to their longer length and materials.
How are arrows propelled?
Arrows are propelled using the tension and release mechanism of a bow.
Are there different types of arrow tips?
Yes, arrow tips vary, including broadheads for hunting and field tips for target practice.
What are common types of targets used in dart games?
Common dart targets include circular dart boards with numbered segments.
Can arrows be made from materials other than wood?
Yes, arrows can also be made from materials such as carbon and aluminum.
What distance are darts typically thrown from?
Darts are typically thrown from a standard distance of 7 feet 9.25 inches in games.
What is the significance of fletchings on an arrow?
Fletchings help stabilize the arrow during flight, improving its accuracy.
Are darts used in any applications other than games?
Besides games, darts can also be used in certain types of small-scale hunting and recreational target practice.
How is the scoring determined in darts?
Scoring in darts is based on where the dart lands on the segmented dart board.
What kind of maintenance does a dart board require?
Dart boards require regular cleaning and rotation to ensure even wear.
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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.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
