noun
dash
A punctuation mark that separates or emphasizes text.
The dash separates the interruption from the rest of the sentence.
Etymology
The punctuation name draws on a quick written stroke. A dash uses that long mark to interrupt, separate, or emphasize part of a sentence.
More examples
- She replaced the comma with a dash.
- The editor removed an unnecessary dash.
- Two dashes set off the inserted phrase.
Forms
dash · dashes
Similar words
- punctuation mark
- The broader category.
- hyphen
- A shorter mark with different grammatical uses.