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dash
/dæʃ/
a short, quick run
He made a dash for the exit when he saw the fire alarm.
He quickly ran to the exit to escape.
general
a sudden quick movement or run
The dog made a dash across the yard to catch the ball.
The dog suddenly ran quickly across the yard.
Often implies urgency or haste.
general
a small amount of something added or mixed
Add a dash of salt to the soup.
Add a small quantity of salt to the soup.
grammar
a punctuation mark (—) used to separate parts of a sentence
The train leaves at 8:00—don't be late!
The train leaves at 8:00, with a pause indicated by the dash.
literary
to strike or smash violently
The waves dashed against the rocks.
The waves struck the rocks forcefully.
general
to move quickly or suddenly
She dashed to the store before it closed.
She quickly ran to the store.
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Distinguish 'dash' from 'sprint'
'Dash' implies a sudden, often urgent movement, while 'sprint' refers to a short, fast run, usually in a race or competition. Example: 'He dashed to the phone when it rang' (urgent) vs. 'She sprinted to the finish line' (competitive).
Gold Rule
Use 'dash' for punctuation
The em dash (—) is used to create a strong break in a sentence, often for emphasis or to set off additional information. Example: 'She opened the door—it was freezing outside.'
Word Origin
From Middle English *daschen* (to strike), from Old Norse *dasa* (to beat, strike). The verb sense of 'to move quickly' emerged in the 16th century, while the noun sense (a quick run) developed later.
Usage Notes
As a verb, 'dash' often implies urgency or haste. As a noun, it can refer to a short run or a small amount of something. The punctuation mark (—) is called an 'em dash' or 'en dash' depending on length.
Word Breakdown
dash
sudden movement or strike
rootEnglish Dictionary