Dash vs. Underscore — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 1, 2023
A dash is a punctuation mark used to indicate a range or pause, while an underscore is a character used to join words in digital text.
Difference Between Dash and Underscore
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
A dash is a typographical symbol used to convey a range, interruption, or emphasis in a sentence. Its length varies; the en dash is about the width of the letter 'n', while the em dash is about the width of 'm'. An underscore, however, appears at the baseline of text, commonly used in email addresses and social media handles to connect words or elements where spaces are not allowed.
Dashes can be used to set off parenthetical statements with more emphasis than commas. They can also indicate an abrupt change in thought or be used where a period is too strong and a comma too weak. Underscores do not serve a grammatical purpose in the same way; instead, they are more functional in digital contexts, acting as a stand-in for spaces, especially in programming, file naming, and online user IDs.
The dash is versatile in written prose, functioning as a way to create a pause more pronounced than a comma, or to add a supplementary comment, similar to parentheses. An underscore is not used in this way; it functions purely to connect textual elements online, ensuring web addresses and user IDs can be interpreted correctly by computer systems.
In print, dashes may be used to signify missing parts of words, whether omitted for legal or sensitive reasons, or when denoting unknown letters in puzzles. The underscore has no such application and remains a feature of the digital text, often unseen in printed materials except as a relic of typewriter practices or in specific uses like signifying a blank in forms.
Comparison Chart
Usage in Writing
To indicate pauses, ranges, or interruptions.
To connect words, especially in digital IDs.
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Length
Variable; can be en dash or em dash.
Consistently the width of one character.
Typographical Use
To break or continue a thought in text.
For technical and digital text formatting.
Occurrence
Common in formal and informal writing.
Primarily used in digital contexts.
Visual Style
Horizontal line at text midline.
Horizontal line at text baseline.
Compare with Definitions
Dash
A punctuation mark for interruption.
He was going—no, he had decided to stay.
Underscore
A line drawn under something.
Please, underscore the correct answer.
Dash
A symbol denoting range or connection.
Read pages 32–45 for homework.
Dash
A sprint in a short burst of speed.
She won the 100-meter dash.
Underscore
A feature in typewriting and coding.
Use an underscore in variable names.
Dash
The dash is a punctuation mark that is similar in appearance to the hyphen and minus sign but differs from these symbols in length and, in some fonts, height above the baseline. The most common versions of the dash are the en dash –, longer than the hyphen; the em dash —, longer than the en dash; and the horizontal bar ―, whose length varies across typefaces but tends to be between those of the en and em dashes.
Underscore
To make evident or highlight.
The event underscored the need for change.
Dash
Run or travel somewhere in a great hurry
I must dash, I'm late
I dashed into the garden
Underscore
To emphasize or stress.
His performance underscored his reputation.
Dash
Strike or fling (something) somewhere with great force, especially so as to have a destructive effect; hurl
The ship was dashed upon the rocks
Underscore
An underscore, also called an underline, low line or low dash, is a line drawn under a segment of text. In proofreading, underscoring is a convention that says "set this text in italic type", traditionally used on manuscript or typescript as an instruction to the printer.
Dash
Used to express mild annoyance
Dash it all, I am in charge
Underscore
To underline
Underscored the incorrect answers in red ink.
Dash
An act of running somewhere suddenly and hastily
She made a dash for the door
Underscore
To put emphasis on; stress
In a press release, the leaders underscored their commitment to continued negotiations.
Dash
A small quantity of a liquid added to something else
Whisky with a dash of soda
Underscore
To cause to appear important or deserving of attention
The energy crisis underscored the need to increase fuel efficiency.
Dash
A horizontal stroke in writing or printing to mark a pause or break in sense or to represent omitted letters or words.
Underscore
A line drawn under writing or text to indicate emphasis or italic type.
Dash
Impetuous or flamboyant vigour and confidence; panache
He has youthful energy, dash, and charisma
Underscore
An underline; a line drawn or printed beneath text; the character _.
Dash
Short for dashboard
An indicator on the dash tells you what gear you are in
Underscore
(music) A piece of background music.
Dash
To move with haste; rush
Dashed into the room.
Dashed down the hall.
Underscore
To underline; to mark a line beneath text.
Dash
To strike violently; smash
Waves dashing on the rocks.
Underscore
To emphasize or draw attention to.
I wish to underscore the importance of proper formatting.
Dash
To break or smash by striking violently
The ship was dashed upon the rocks.
Underscore
To draw a mark or line under; to underline.
Dash
To hurl, knock, or thrust with sudden violence
Dashed the cup against the wall.
Underscore
A line drawn underneath (especially under written matter)
Dash
To remove by striking or wiping
Dash tears from one's face.
Underscore
Give extra weight to (a communication);
Her gesture emphasized her words
Dash
To splash; bespatter
Dash water on one's face.
Underscore
Draw a line or lines underneath to call attention to
Dash
To write hastily. Often used with off
Dashed off a note to the dean.
Dash
To drink hastily. Often used with down
Dashed down a glass of milk.
Dash
To add an enlivening or altering element to
A speech dashed with humor.
Dash
To affect by adding another element or ingredient to
Ice cream that was dashed with rum.
Dash
To destroy or wreck
Our hopes were dashed by the news.
Dash
To discourage or dispirit
"This discouraging information a little dashed the child" (Charles Dickens).
Dash
To damn.
Dash
A swift, violent blow or stroke
Knocked the books to the floor with an impatient dash of his hand.
Dash
A splash
Threw a dash of water on my face.
Dash
A small amount of an added ingredient
A dash of sherry.
Dash
A quick stroke, as with a pencil or brush.
Dash
A sudden movement; a rush
Made a dash for the exit.
Dash
(Sports) A footrace, usually less than a quarter-mile long, run at top speed from the outset.
Dash
A spirited quality in action or style; verve.
Dash
Either of two symbols, an emdash or an endash, used in writing and in printing.
Dash
In Morse and similar codes, the long sound or signal used in combination with the dot and silent intervals to represent letters or numbers.
Dash
A dashboard.
Dash
(typography) Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar).
Dash
(computing) A hyphen or minus sign.
Dash
(by extension) The longer of the two symbols of Morse code.
Dash
A short run, flight.
When the feds came they did the dash.
Dash
A rushing or violent onset.
Dash
Violent strike; a whack.
Dash
A small quantity of a liquid substance etc.; less than 1/8 of a teaspoon.
Add a dash of vinegar.
Dash
A slight admixture.
There is a dash of craziness in his personality.
Dash
Ostentatious vigor.
Aren't we full of dash this morning?
Dash
A dashboard.
Dash
A bribe or gratuity; a gift.
Dash
A stand-in for a censored word, like "Devil" or "damn". (Compare deuce.)
Dash
The dashboard of a Tumblr user.
Dash
(intransitive) To run quickly or for a short distance.
He dashed across the field.
Dash
To leave or depart.
I have to dash now. See you soon.
Dash
(transitive) To destroy by striking (against).
He dashed the bottle against the bar and turned about to fight.
Dash
(transitive) To throw violently.
The man was dashed from the vehicle during the accident.
Dash
To sprinkle; to splatter.
Dash
To mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality.
To dash wine with water
Dash
To ruin; to destroy.
Her hopes were dashed when she saw the damage.
Dash
(transitive) To dishearten; to sadden.
Her thoughts were dashed to melancholy.
Dash
To complete hastily.
He dashed down his eggs.
She dashed off her homework.
Dash
(transitive) To draw or write quickly; jot.
Dash
Damn in forming oaths.
Dash his impudence! Who is that scoundrel?
Dash
(euphemistic) Damn!
Dash
To throw with violence or haste; to cause to strike violently or hastily; - often used with against.
If you dash a stone against a stone in the botton of the water, it maketh a sound.
Dash
To break, as by throwing or by collision; to shatter; to crust; to frustrate; to ruin.
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
A brave vessel, . . . Dashed all to pieces.
To perplex and dashMaturest counsels.
Dash
To put to shame; to confound; to confuse; to abash; to depress.
Dash the proud gamester in his gilded car.
Dash
To throw in or on in a rapid, careless manner; to mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality; to overspread partially; to bespatter; to touch here and there; as, to dash wine with water; to dash paint upon a picture.
I take care to dash the character with such particular circumstance as may prevent ill-natured applications.
The very source and fount of dayIs dashed with wandering isles of night.
Dash
To form or sketch rapidly or carelessly; to execute rapidly, or with careless haste; - with off; as, to dash off a review or sermon.
Dash
To erase by a stroke; to strike out; knock out; - with out; as, to dash out a word.
Dash
To rush with violence; to move impetuously; to strike violently; as, the waves dash upon rocks.
[He] dashed through thick and thin.
On each hand the gushing waters play,And down the rough cascade all dashing fall.
Dash
Violent striking together of two bodies; collision; crash.
Dash
A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin; as, his hopes received a dash.
Dash
A slight admixture, infusion, or adulteration; a partial overspreading; as, wine with a dash of water; red with a dash of purple.
Innocence when it has in it a dash of folly.
Dash
A rapid movement, esp. one of short duration; a quick stroke or blow; a sudden onset or rush; as, a bold dash at the enemy; a dash of rain.
She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
Dash
Energy in style or action; animation; spirit.
Dash
A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make or cut a great dash.
Dash
A mark or line [-], in writing or printing, denoting a sudden break, stop, or transition in a sentence, or an abrupt change in its construction, a long or significant pause, or an unexpected or epigrammatic turn of sentiment. Dashes are also sometimes used instead of marks or parenthesis.
Dash
The sign of staccato, a small mark [ ] denoting that the note over which it is placed is to be performed in a short, distinct manner.
Dash
A short, spirited effort or trial of speed upon a race course; - used in horse racing, when a single trial constitutes the race.
Dash
Distinctive and stylish elegance;
He wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer
Dash
A quick run
Dash
A footrace run at top speed;
He is preparing for the 100-yard dash
Dash
A punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text
Dash
The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code
Dash
The act of moving with great haste;
He made a dash for the door
Dash
Run or move very quickly or hastily;
She dashed into the yard
Dash
Break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over;
Smash a plate
Dash
Hurl or thrust violently;
He dashed the plate against the wall
Waves were dashing against the rock
Dash
Destroy or break;
Dashed ambitions and hopes
Dash
Cause to lose courage;
Dashed by the refusal
Dash
Add an enlivening or altering element to;
Blue paint dashed with white
Dash
A sign used in place of missing letters.
The suspect was described as Ms. S—.
Dash
A small amount added to a recipe.
Add a dash of salt to taste.
Common Curiosities
Can a dash replace a semicolon?
Sometimes, to indicate a stronger pause or shift in sentence structure.
How do I type an em dash on a keyboard?
On most keyboards, press Alt + 0151 on the numeric keypad.
Is an underscore the same as a space?
In digital contexts, it often replaces a space where spaces aren't permitted.
Do underscores have any grammatical function?
No, they're used for digital formatting and not in grammar.
When should I use an underscore?
Use it in usernames, email addresses, and programming, not in regular writing.
Are dashes and underscores interchangeable?
No, they serve different functions in writing and digital text.
Can an underscore be used to denote a pause?
No, that's a function of the dash.
Is it acceptable to use spaces around an em dash?
Style guides vary; some recommend spaces, others do not.
Can a dash be used in an email address?
Yes, but it's not the same character as an underscore and has a different function.
Can dashes replace commas?
They can but usually signal a stronger pause or emphasis.
How do I type an underscore?
Press Shift + the key with the hyphen/minus sign on your keyboard.
Are there different types of dashes?
Yes, the main ones are the en dash and em dash.
Is an underscore visible in all fonts?
It may not be clearly visible in some fonts or if underlined text is used.
Can a dash be used for emphasis?
Yes, it often emphasizes a concluding phrase or clause.
Do dashes and underscores affect SEO?
Yes, especially underscores; search engines treat them differently when indexing.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
