hyphen

[ hahy-fuhn ]

noun

1. 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)

1. hyphenate.

hyphen

/ 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

verb

1. tr another word for hyphenate

hyphen

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.

Other Words From

• hy·phen·ic [hahy-, fen, -ik], adjective
• de·hyphen verb (used with object)
• un·hyphened adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyphen¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyphen¹

C17: from Late Latin (meaning: the combining of two words), from Greek huphen (adv) together, from hypo- + heis one

Example Sentences

In the case of ecommerce, since you’ll probably have a series of photos for each product, give the image files titles that reflect the product, with words separated by hyphens.

From Search Engine Watch

When you talk about Debbie Allen, you need to realize that hyphens will not get you anywhere close to wrapping your head around what she has accomplished.

From Ozy

It’s become common enough since it was first recorded in the 1910s that we write it out as a single—one word, not two, without a hyphen.

From Everything After Z

A hyphen is part of the common spelling: daylight-saving time.

From The Daily Beast

He belonged to the branch of the family that owns the hyphen and most of the money.

From Project Gutenberg

If the capital-letter be retained where a prefix is put to a proper name, the hyphen is obviously necessary.

From Project Gutenberg

The hyphen distinguishes the etymological meaning of these words as distinguished from their derived and ordinary meaning.

From Project Gutenberg

When the combination is likely to be misunderstood, modern editors generally put a hyphen between the two words.

From Project Gutenberg

Taken out hyphen for 'woman-kind', majority are 'womankind'.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• elbow
• seam