hyphenated

adjective

hy·​phen·​at·​ed ˈhī-fə-ˌnā-təd 

: of, relating to, or being an individual or unit of mixed or diverse background or composition

hyphenated Americans

Examples of hyphenated in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Note that hyphenated last name — once upon a time, that alone would be enough to establish your wokeness and thus invulnerability from any kind of disciplinary action, let alone having to work, at ZooMass. —Howie Carr, Boston Herald, 28 Sep. 2025

The site struggled with hyphenated names but pulled up correct details in other cases. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 5 Sep. 2025

But other social media users, and X's own fact-checking service, pointed out that Beyoncé never dropped her maiden name after getting married and only occasionally uses a hyphenated surname. —Shannon Power, Newsweek, 13 Dec. 2024

Notes From a Trap Feminist and the multi-hyphenated creators from the Up and Coming Legendary Children Podcast to hear their thoughts on this topic and provide expert insight and advice. —Dominique Fluker, Essence, 19 Dec. 2022

Word History

Etymology

from the use of hyphenated words (such as German-American) to designate foreign-born citizens of the U.S.

First Known Use

circa 1893, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for hyphenated

• abdicated
• abrogated
• acclimated
• activated
• actuated
• adumbrated
• advocated
• aggravated
• aggregated
• agitated
• allocated
• alternated