hyphenate

American  

[hahy-fuh-neyt, hahy-fuh-nit, -neyt] / ˈhaɪ fəˌneɪt, ˈhaɪ fə nɪt, -ˌneɪt /

verb (used with object)

hyphenated, hyphenating

1. to join by a hyphen.

2. to write or divide with a hyphen.

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adjective

1. of or relating to something of distinct form or origin that has been joined; connected by a hyphen.

noun

1. Informal. a person working or excelling in more than one craft or occupation.

   He's a film-industry hyphenate, usually listed as a writer-director-producer.

hyphenate British  

/ ˈhaɪfəˌneɪt /

verb

1. (tr) to separate (syllables, words, etc) with a hyphen

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Other Word Forms

• hyphenation noun

Etymology

Origin of hyphenate

First recorded in 1850–55; hyphen + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

Back then women didn’t keep their own names or hyphenate them.

From Literature

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

Earlier this year, Martin, who is from Toronto, spent a dozen years in London before moving to L.A., pulled another hyphenate out of their hat by releasing an indie rock album.

From Los Angeles Times

By the way, if you think those numbers are impressive, just imagine what the jersey sales will be like if the couple decides to hyphenate their names after saying “I do.”

From Los Angeles Times

An Orange County election board staff member told her they suspected that process initially failed because her last name is now hyphenated.

From Salon