Word of the Day:

April 8, 2012

hyphenate

noun HYE-fuh-nayt

What it Means

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

Hyphenate in Context

Ever ambitious, Laura has proven herself to be an accomplished musical hyphenate - composing, performing, and recording all her own musical compositions.

"So who is [actor Justin Theroux]? It’s not surprising that the Hollywood hyphenate, who recently co-scripted this summer's movie version of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages, became a writer. His mother is a journalist and author; his uncle is acclaimed travel writer Paul Theroux." - From an article by David A. Keeps in New York Magazine, February 12, 2012

More example sentences

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."

Test Your Memory

What is the meaning of "oppugn," our Word of the Day from March 22? The answer is ...

Daily Challenge

Want to listen to the Word of the Day instead?

Follow daily podcast