Definition of HYPHEN

hyphen

Plural: hyphens

Noun

  • 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 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.
  • Something which links two things of greater significance than itself.
  • Something which links two things of greater significance than itself.
  • An enclosed walkway or passage that connects two buildings.
  • Someone who belongs to a marginalized subgroup, and can therefore described by a hyphenated term, such as "German-American", "female-academic", etc.

Verb

Verb Forms: hyphened, hyphening, hyphens

  • To join words or parts of words with a hyphen mark.
  • divide or connect with a hyphen
    • "hyphenate these words and names"
  • To separate or punctuate with a hyphen; to hyphenate.

Conj

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

Examples

  • He tried to HYPHENate his two-letter word with another to form a longer play, but it wasn’t allowed.

Origin / Etymology

From Late Latin, from Ancient Greek ὑφέν (huphén, “together”), contracted from ὑφ’ ἕν (huph’ hén, “under one”), from ὑπό (hupó, “under”) + ἕν (hén, “one”), neuter of εἷς (heîs, “one”).

Synonyms

dash, hyphenate, cum, slash

Scrabble Score: 17

hyphen: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
hyphen: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
hyphen: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 16

hyphen: valid Words With Friends Word