dash
dash Lexical Profile
dash Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An act of running or moving somewhere suddenly and hastily, or a short footrace run at top speed.
"We made a mad dash across the parking lot to escape the sudden downpour."
A small quantity of a liquid, spice, or other ingredient added to food or drink, or a slight admixture of a quality.
"The chef added a dash of lemon juice and fresh herbs to brighten the sauce."
A horizontal stroke in writing or printing used to mark a pause or break in sense, or to represent a longer signal in Morse code.
"She used an em dash to set off the parenthetical remark at the end of the sentence."
The instrument panel or dashboard of a motor vehicle.
"A warning light began blinking on the dash just as we merged onto the highway."
Impetuous energy, spirited flamboyance, or stylish vigor in appearance and action.
"The young conductor led the symphony orchestra with remarkable flair and dash."
• verb
To run or travel somewhere in a great hurry.
"I have to dash to the post office before it closes for the afternoon."
To destroy, frustrate, or ruin (especially someone's hopes, plans, or expectations).
"An unexpected ankle injury dashed her hopes of competing in the national championship."
To strike or fling forcefully against a surface so as to shatter or break into pieces.
"Fierce storm waves dashed the wooden fishing boats against the rocky jetty."
• interjection
British Used as a mild euphemistic expression of annoyance, frustration, or impatience.
"Dash it all, I seem to have left my umbrella on the morning train."
Word Nuance & Usage
In typography and grammar, a 'dash' (such as an en dash or em dash) is longer and serves to separate phrases or indicate ranges, whereas a 'hyphen' is shorter and joins compound words.
• Rhymes for dash
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'dasshen' (to strike or hurl violently), probably of imitative origin or borrowed from a Scandinavian source akin to Danish 'daske' (to slap or beat).