hyphenate

[ verb hahy-fuh-neyt; adjective noun hahy-fuh-nit, -neyt ]

verb (used with object)

, hy·phen·at·ed, hy·phen·at·ing.

1. to join by a hyphen.
2. to write or divide with a hyphen.

adjective

1. of or relating to something of distinct form or origin that has been joined; connected by a hyphen.

noun

1. Informal. a person working or excelling in more than one craft or occupation:

   He's a film-industry hyphenate, usually listed as a writer-director-producer.

hyphenate

/ ˈhaɪfəˌneɪt /

verb

1. tr to separate (syllables, words, etc) with a hyphen

Derived Forms

• ˌhyphenˈation, noun

Other Words From

• hyphen·ation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyphenate¹

First recorded in 1850–55; hyphen + -ate ¹

Example Sentences

It was wonderful to be seen that way and have my skill set and my hyphenates acknowledged and not having to compartmentalize because he sees me as a creator, much like he’s a creator.

From Los Angeles Times

Such hyphenated Americans, he said, felt a “degree of accepted and reasonable pride,” and had succeeded in connecting “their heritage to their mother country” and also to “where they are now” in America.

From Salon

Actors who sing, singers who act: Hollywood’s entertainment-industrial complex is strewn with false starts from would-be hyphenates tempted by success in one field to try their luck in another.

From Los Angeles Times

The claim also defended Villanueva’s use of the inspector general’s full name, noting that his longer, hyphenated name is included on some public records websites as well as on his desk plaque.

From Los Angeles Times

With thousands of social media followers, the Nebraska-born model-actor-writer can add “influencer” to her multiple hyphenates, but she says today’s emphasis on “likes” has a downside.

From Washington Times