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

The New York Times analysis relies heavily on textual analysis of old emails and posts, and in particular incorrect hyphen usage and British spelling.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 8, 2026

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.

From BBC • Nov. 11, 2025

The lives of this family and millions of others are balanced on that flimsy hyphen.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 10, 2025

These attacks on the em dash — a ChatGPT hyphen?

From Salon • Jun. 11, 2025

"I say. You know my name isn't really Harris. It's Wilson-Harris. All one name. With a hyphen, you know."

From "The Sun Also Rises" by Ernest Hemingway

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