What's the meaning of the Hyphen »

Hyphen

This page is about the meaning, origin and characteristic of the symbol, emblem, seal, sign, logo or flag: Hyphen.

Rate this symbol:3.2 / 5 votes

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 hyphen symbol is believed to have been first used in the English language in the 14th century. However, its use became more widespread in the 16th century, during the Renaissance period. The first recorded use of a hyphen in English was in 1495, in William Caxton's printing of The Canterbury Tales.

The hyphen should not be confused with dashes (‒, –, —, ―), which are longer and have different uses, or with the minus sign (−) which is also longer.

Hyphens are mostly used to break single words into parts, or to join ordinarily separate words into single words. Spaces should not be placed between a hyphen and either of the words it connects except when using a suspended or "hanging" hyphen (e.g. nineteenth- and twentieth-century writers).

41,330 Views

Graphical characteristics:
Symmetric, Open shape, Colorful, Contains straight lines, Has no crossing lines.

Category: Language Symbols.

Hyphen is part of the Punctuation group.

More symbols in Punctuation:

Punctuation marks are symbols that indicate the structure and organization of written language, as well as intonation and pauses to be observed when reading aloud. In written English, punctuation is… read more »

More symbols in Language Symbols:

Have a discussion about Hyphen with the community:

0 Comments

    Citation

    Use the citation below to add this symbol to your bibliography:

    Style:MLAChicagoAPA

    "Hyphen." Symbols.com. STANDS4 LLC, 2024. Web. 29 Mar. 2024. <https://www.symbols.com/symbol/hyphen>.

    We need you!

    Are we missing an important symbol in this category?

    Graphical Index

    Use our unique search feature to find a symbol based on its various graphical characteristics:


    • Symmetry:
    • Shape:
    • Colors:
    • Curveness:
    • Crossing:

    Quiz

    Are you a world flags master?

    »
    A Poland
    B Gambia
    C Greece
    D Wallis and Futuna

    Browse Symbols.com