hyphenate

verb hy·phen·ate \ ˈhī-fə-ˌnāt \

Updated on: 19 Apr 2018

Definition of hyphenate

hyphenated; hyphenating

transitive verb

: to connect (words) or divide (a word, such as a word at the end of a line of print) with a hyphen

—

hyphenation

play \ˌhī-fə-ˈnā-shən\ noun

See hyphenate defined for English-language learners

See hyphenate defined for kids

hyphenate was our Word of the Day on 04/08/2012. Hear the podcast!

Examples of hyphenate in a Sentence

In English, we hyphenate some compounds but not others.

Recent Examples of hyphenate from the Web

These are rated as second-highest quality and their names are often hyphenated with the nearby town (e.g. Meursault-Charmes).

— lettie teague, WSJ, "Beat the Burgundy Bubble: 11 Still-Affordable Wines," 7 Dec. 2017
Whether or not to hyphenate is entirely your choice: Jane Riley, Eleanor Rose, Ann-Morgan.

— Southern Living, "Let Mama Name Your Baby in 2017," 27 Dec. 2016
Whether or not to hyphenate is entirely your choice: Jane Riley, Eleanor Rose, Ann-Morgan.

— Southern Living, "Let Mama Name Your Baby in 2017," 1 May 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hyphenate.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of hyphenate

circa 1889

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

hyphenate

noun

Definition of hyphenate

: a person who performs more than one function (such as a producer-director in filmmaking)

Recent Examples of hyphenate from the Web

The multi-hyphenate is the master of the bronzed glow seen all over Instagram since even before Instagram was a figment of coding in someone's imagination.

— devon abelman, Allure, "Jennifer Lopez Is Collaborating With Inglot to Launch a 70-Piece Makeup Collection [Exclusive]," 5 Apr. 2018
Out on the West Coast, there’s a generation of DIY artists and creative multi-hyphenates who are making the graphic tee feel as elevated and covetable as high fashion.

— samuel hine, GQ, "These 7 L.A. Brands Are Turning Graphic Tees Into Far-Out High Fashion," 20 Mar. 2018
Tommy Wiseau might be best known for creating, directing and starring in accidental cult classic The Room, but this notorious aspiring multi-hyphenate has his sights set on a new, sinister role: The Joker.

— cady lang, Time, "The Room Star Tommy Wiseau's Joker Audition Is Actually Terrifying," 12 Mar. 2018
With no fewer than four major projects coming out this year (her NBC comedy, Champions, premieres tonight) and a brand new baby girl, the multi-hyphenate is one of the busiest people in Hollywood.

— jessica radloff, Glamour, "Mindy Kaling's Next Chapter: An Important New Show, More Representation, and Hotel Robes," 8 Mar. 2018
Dedivanovic has been the brains behind just about every iconic makeup look the multi-hyphenate mom of three has worn over the last decade, but the most devoted fans know their relationship goes beyond just beauty.

— kaleigh fasanella, Allure, "Watch Kim Kardashian’s Beloved Makeup Artist Mario Dedivanovic Break Down Her Most Iconic Looks," 1 Mar. 2018
When asked about the Time's Up movement in an interview with Harper's Bazaar, the multi-hyphenate performer opened up about an incident early in her acting career.

— anika reed, USA TODAY, "Jennifer Lopez reveals her own Me Too story: 'I was terrified'," 15 Mar. 2018
The multi-hyphenate, who repeats mantras like this to herself throughout the day, swears by the power of positive thinking.

— Harper's BAZAAR, "J. Lo's Flying High," 15 Mar. 2018
But the multi-hyphenate also, somehow, was able to create a new capsule makeup collection with M.A.C. Cosmetics that launches on Thursday.

— lisa ryan, The Cut, "How I Get It Done: Top Chef Host Padma Lakshmi," 14 Mar. 2018

Did You Know?

In the early 20th century, the noun hyphenate referred to a resident or citizen of the U.S. whose recent foreign national origin caused others to question his or her patriotic loyalties - with or without there being just cause for that questioning. These hyphenates - the Irish-Americans, German-Americans, and others - were objects of suspicion. The hyphenates we're highlighting today are more often objects of admiration. Since around 1974, we've been referring to people with hyphens in their titles - producer-directors, for example, as hyphenates.