dash

1 of 2

verb

ˈdash 

dashed; dashing; dashes

intransitive verb

1

: to move with sudden speed

dashed down the hallway

2

: smash

waves dashing against the rocks

transitive verb

1

: to break by striking or knocking

angrily dashed the bouquet of flowers against the table

2

a

: ruin, destroy

The news dashed his hopes.

b

: depress, sadden

c

: to make ashamed

dashed by her scorn

3

: to complete, execute, or finish off hastily

—used with down or off

dashed down a drink

dash off a letter

… he dashed off the book in eight weeks …

—Paul Fussell

4

: to knock, hurl, or thrust violently

dashed water onto his face

a boat that had been dashed against the rocks

5

: splash, spatter

Her pants were dashed with mud.

6

: to affect by mixing in something different

His delight was dashed with bitterness.

7

[euphemism] : damn entry 1 sense 4

Dash it all!

dash

2 of 2

noun

1

a

grammar : a punctuation mark — that is used especially to indicate a break in the thought or structure of a sentence

b

: a stroke of a pen

2

: a small usually distinctive addition

a dash of salt

a dash of humor

3

a

: a sudden onset, rush, or attempt

make a dash for shelter

b

sports : a short fast race

won the 100-meter dash

4

: animation in style and action

the verve and dash of her personal writings

5

automotive vehicles : dashboard sense 2

Put the map on the dash.

6

: a long click or buzz forming a letter or part of a letter (as in Morse code)

a combination of dots and dashes

7

: flashy display

really cuts a dash in his new suit

8

a(1)

: a sudden burst or splash

a dash of rain

(2)

: the sound produced by such a burst

b

archaic : blow

Synonyms

Verb

• gallop
• jog
• run
• scamper
• sprint
• trip
• trot

Noun

• beans
• bounce
• brio
• drive
• dynamism
• energy
• esprit
• gas
• get-up-and-go
• ginger
• go
• gusto
• hardihood
• juice
• life
• moxie
• oomph
• pep
• punch
• sap
• snap
• starch
• verve
• vigor
• vim
• vinegar
• vitality
• zing
• zip

Examples of dash in a Sentence

Verb

I'm sorry, but I must dash. I'm late.

She dashed down the hallway to the bathroom.

People were dashing inside to get out of the rain.

The waves dashed the boat against the rocks.

Her hopes of winning a medal were dashed after she broke her leg.

Noun

We made a dash for the exit.

the cavalry officer's dash and enthusiasm inspired his men to follow him into battle

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

Cerati’s death in 2014 at age 55 dashed any hopes for a subsequent studio recording, but the trio’s legacy continues to influence younger generations of Latin rockers. —Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 3 May 2025

Seconds later, the intruder turned around and dashed out the hotel room door. —Christine Pelisek, People.com, 1 May 2025

Noun

This bright, refreshing modern-classic highball combines Rieger Kansas City Whiskey with ginger beer and a few dashes of Angostura bitters. —Aly Walansky, Forbes.com, 1 May 2025

Hairston impressed at the combine in Indianapolis by running a 4.28 40-yard dash and has the speed to keep everything in front while not being afraid to get physical. —Bryce Lazenby, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Verb and Noun

Middle English dasshen, probably from Middle French dachier to impel forward

First Known Use

Verb

14th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 8b

Phrases Containing dash

• cut a dash
• dash cam
• dash it (all)
• dash off
• mad dash
• make a dash for
• swung dash

Rhymes for dash

• ash
• bash
• brash
• cache
• cash
• clash
• crash
• flash
• gash
• hash
• lash
• mash

Kids Definition

dash

1 of 2 verb

ˈdash 

1

: to knock, hurl, or thrust violently

the storm dashed the boat against a reef

2

: to break by striking or knocking

dashed a plate against the wall

3

: splash entry 1 sense 1b, spatter

4

: destroy sense 1, ruin

dash one's hopes

5

: to affect by mixing in something different

the sauce was dashed with vinegar

6

: to perform or finish hastily

dash off a letter

7

: to move with sudden speed

dashed upstairs

dasher noun

dash

2 of 2 noun

1

: a sudden burst or splash

a dash of cold water

2

a

: a stroke of a pen

b

: a punctuation mark — that is used chiefly to indicate a break in the thought or structure of a sentence

3

: a small usually special and noticeable addition

add a dash of salt

4

: liveliness in style and action

a leader of dash and vigor

5

a

: a sudden rush or attempt

made a dash for the exit

b

: a short fast race

6

: a long click or buzz forming a letter or part of a letter (as in Morse code)

7

: dashboard sense 2

Medical Definition

DASH

noun

ˈdash

: a diet that is designed to lower blood pressure and emphasizes the consumption of fruit, vegetables, grains, and low-fat or non-fat dairy products

Etymology

Noun

dietary approaches to stop hypertension