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hyphen
[hahy-fuhn]
noun
a short line (-) used to connect the parts of a compound word or the parts of a word divided for any purpose.
verb (used with object)
hyphen
/ ˈhaɪfən /
noun
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
verb
(tr) another word for hyphenate
hyphen
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.
Other Word Forms
- hyphenic adjective
- dehyphen verb (used with object)
- unhyphened adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of hyphen1
Compare Meanings
How does hyphen compare to similar and commonly confused words? Explore the most common comparisons:
Example Sentences
Versions with and without the hyphen have been used in the past, but a 1960 Privy Council announcement used the hyphenated version, which will be used from now on.
The lives of this family and millions of others are balanced on that flimsy hyphen.
So what if some Gen Z influencers see a venti hyphen where you see a proud, versatile dash?
Not all of his ideas made the cut though - X-Ray Drive was rejected by the council due to a hyphen being in it, which forced the change to Radiography Road.
Or perhaps the story of his panic at seeing a post-it note saying "please re-sign" on some documents, and not noticing the hyphen, wondered what he'd done to justify having to quit.
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