Hyphen vs. Dash — What's the Difference?

A punctuation mark used to join words and separate syllables of a single word.

A punctuation mark used to indicate a range or pause.

Used in compound modifiers before a noun.

Used in place of a comma or colon for emphasis.

Avoids ambiguity in complex phrases.

Indicates interruptions, especially in dialogue.

Connects prefixed words, especially in scientific terms.

Creates a dramatic pause to build suspense or add information.

Appears in split words at the end of lines.

Separates additional information or clauses in a sentence.

The hyphen ‐ is a punctuation mark used to join words and to separate syllables of a single word. The use of hyphens is called hyphenation.

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.

A punctuation mark ( - ) used between the parts of a compound word or name or between the syllables of a word, especially when divided at the end of a line of text.

Run or travel somewhere in a great hurry

To hyphenate.

Strike or fling (something) somewhere with great force, especially so as to have a destructive effect; hurl

The symbol "‐", typically used to join two or more words to form a compound term, or to indicate that a word has been split at the end of a line.

Used to express mild annoyance

(figuratively) Something that links two more consequential things.

An act of running somewhere suddenly and hastily

An enclosed walkway or passage that connects two buildings.

A small quantity of a liquid added to something else

Someone who belongs to a marginalized subgroup, and can therefore described by a hyphenated term, such as "German-American", "female-academic", etc.

A horizontal stroke in writing or printing to mark a pause or break in sense or to represent omitted letters or words.

To separate or punctuate with a hyphen; to hyphenate.

Impetuous or flamboyant vigour and confidence; panache

Used to emphasize the coordinating function usually indicated by the punctuation "-".

Short for dashboard

A mark or short dash, thus [-], placed at the end of a line which terminates with a syllable of a word, the remainder of which is carried to the next line; or between the parts of many a compound word; as in fine-leaved, clear-headed. It is also sometimes used to separate the syllables of words.

To move with haste; rush

To connect with, or separate by, a hyphen, as two words or the parts of a word.

To strike violently; smash

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

To break or smash by striking violently

Divide or connect with a hyphen;

To hurl, knock, or thrust with sudden violence

To remove by striking or wiping

To splash; bespatter

To write hastily. Often used with off

To drink hastily. Often used with down

To add an enlivening or altering element to

To affect by adding another element or ingredient to

To destroy or wreck

To discourage or dispirit

To damn.

A swift, violent blow or stroke

A splash

A small amount of an added ingredient

A quick stroke, as with a pencil or brush.

A sudden movement; a rush

(Sports) A footrace, usually less than a quarter-mile long, run at top speed from the outset.

A spirited quality in action or style; verve.

Either of two symbols, an emdash or an endash, used in writing and in printing.

In Morse and similar codes, the long sound or signal used in combination with the dot and silent intervals to represent letters or numbers.

A dashboard.

(typography) Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar).

(computing) A hyphen or minus sign.

(by extension) The longer of the two symbols of Morse code.

A short run, flight.

A rushing or violent onset.

Violent strike; a whack.

A small quantity of a liquid substance etc.; less than 1/8 of a teaspoon.

A slight admixture.

Ostentatious vigor.

A dashboard.

A bribe or gratuity; a gift.

A stand-in for a censored word, like "Devil" or "damn". (Compare deuce.)

The dashboard of a Tumblr user.

(intransitive) To run quickly or for a short distance.

To leave or depart.

(transitive) To destroy by striking (against).

(transitive) To throw violently.

To sprinkle; to splatter.

To mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality.

To ruin; to destroy.

(transitive) To dishearten; to sadden.

To complete hastily.

(transitive) To draw or write quickly; jot.

Damn in forming oaths.

(euphemistic) Damn!

To throw with violence or haste; to cause to strike violently or hastily; - often used with against.

To break, as by throwing or by collision; to shatter; to crust; to frustrate; to ruin.

To put to shame; to confound; to confuse; to abash; to depress.

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.

To form or sketch rapidly or carelessly; to execute rapidly, or with careless haste; - with off; as, to dash off a review or sermon.

To erase by a stroke; to strike out; knock out; - with out; as, to dash out a word.

To rush with violence; to move impetuously; to strike violently; as, the waves dash upon rocks.

Violent striking together of two bodies; collision; crash.

A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin; as, his hopes received a dash.

A slight admixture, infusion, or adulteration; a partial overspreading; as, wine with a dash of water; red with a dash of purple.

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.

Energy in style or action; animation; spirit.

A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make or cut a great 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.

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.

A short, spirited effort or trial of speed upon a race course; - used in horse racing, when a single trial constitutes the race.

Distinctive and stylish elegance;

A quick run

A footrace run at top speed;

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

The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code

The act of moving with great haste;

Run or move very quickly or hastily;

Break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over;

Hurl or thrust violently;

Destroy or break;

Cause to lose courage;

Add an enlivening or altering element to;

A hyphen connects words or syllables, particularly in compound words.

A dash indicates a range or adds a pause for emphasis in sentences.

A dash is significantly longer than a hyphen.

For an en dash, use Alt+0150; for an em dash, use Alt+0151.

It introduces a pause that can help emphasize or clarify subsequent information.

While not always necessary, dashes can enhance the clarity and style of writing.

No, hyphens are not used for ranges; dashes are used instead.

No, they serve different functions and are not interchangeable.

When combining two or more words serve as an adjective before a noun.

Words like mother-in-law and high-speed are hyphenated.