dash

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /dæʃ/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular dash

Plural dashes

The wheel and dash (dashboard) of a car.

1. On a computer keyboard, a dash is a horizontal bar that looks like "-" or "—".

   There are many different types of dashes that you can type on a keyboard.

2. A dash can mean a short run.

   I got last place in the 100-meter dash because I tripped on a rock.

3. A dash is sometimes short for a dashboard.

   Someone dropped a brick through the car's windshield and onto the dash.

4. A dash is a very small amount in cooking.

   Put a dash of salt in the soup.

Related words

• en dash
• em dash
• dashboard

Verb

Plain form dash

Third-person singular dashes

Past tense dashed

Past participle dashed

Present participle dashing

1. (intransitive) To dash is to run fast for a short distance

   When he heard there was ice cream he dashed off towards it.

2. (transitive) If your hopes, dreams, or expectations were ruined, disappointed, or destroyed, they were dashed.

   Her hopes for a beautiful wedding day were dashed when dark clouds gathered in the sky.

   My dreams of a happy, quiet home were dashed when my mother in law moved in with us.

3. (transitive) To dash can be to sprinkle or spray.

   She dashed her soup with too much pepper.