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

As one of the evening's hosts, multi-hyphenated talent Regina King wore an icy blue custom duchess satin Louis Vuitton dress. —Kevin Huynh, InStyle, 15 Mar. 2026

If the melting pot had failed and the hyphenated Americans remained hyphenated, this was so much the better in Bourne’s view. —Jake Lundberg, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026

The name of Prince Edward's daughter is listed in the line of succession to the throne as Lady Louise Mountbatten-Windsor, and the hyphenated last name of Mountbatten-Windsor is listed on the birth certificates of Prince Harry's children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. —Janine Henni, PEOPLE, 12 Nov. 2025

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

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