hyphen

American  

[hahy-fuhn] / ˈhaɪ fən /

noun

1. a short line (-) used to connect the parts of a compound word or the parts of a word divided for any purpose.

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verb (used with object)

1. hyphenate.

hyphen British  

/ ˈhaɪfən /

noun

1. the punctuation mark (-), used to separate the parts of some compound words, to link the words of a phrase, and between syllables of a word split between two consecutive lines of writing or printing

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verb

1. (tr) another word for hyphenate

hyphen Cultural  

1. A punctuation mark (-) used in some compound words, such as self-motivation, seventy-five, and mother-in-law. A hyphen is also used to divide a word at the end of a line of type. Hyphens may appear only between syllables. Thus com-pound is properly hyphenated, but compo-und is not.

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Other Word Forms

• dehyphen
  verb (used with object)
• hyphenic
  adjective
• unhyphened
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of hyphen

1595–1605; < Late Latin < Greek hyphén (adv.) together, derivative of hyph' hén (prepositional phrase), equivalent to hyp ( ó ) under ( see hypo-) + hén, neuter of heîs one

Compare meaning

How does hyphen compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:

• hyphen vs. em dash
• hyphen vs. en dash
• hyphen vs. semicolon

Explanation

When you're writing, a hyphen is useful for forming a compound word or separating the syllables of a word at the end of a line of text. The word merry-go-round uses two hyphens. Often, when you join shorter individual words into one more complicated, compound word, you use a hyphen. Words like twentieth-century, well-intentioned, and high-risk are examples of hyphenated compounds. Hyphen is a Greek word that means "mark joining two syllables or words," which most likely was originally used to describe the way words should be sung.

Example Sentences

Hyphen says it is doing all it can to minimise disturbance of crucial ecosystems, avoiding the most sensitive sites and leaving the smallest possible footprint.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Hyphen estimates it will create 15,000 jobs during the construction phase, and 3,000 permanent jobs during operation.

From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026

Last year, Germany announced its intention to recognize Hyphen as a project of strategic national interest, which would qualify it for special funding and investment from the German government.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 1, 2025

Hyphen, a San Jose-based startup founded four years ago, created the Augmented Makeline.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 19, 2024

Second, after five years of not speaking, of all the people in Shady Glen I had picked not Julio or Etta and certainly not Maya Hyphen Jade to speak to, but him.

From "Not Nothing" by Gayle Forman

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