comma

KAH-muh/ˈkɑ.mə/UKKOM-uh/ˈkɒmə/AUSKAW-muh/ˈkɔmə/

8 meanings of comma

1
nouncountable
A punctuation mark (,) used to separate parts of a sentence or items in a list.
Like a short pause that helps you take a breath while reading aloud.
Put a comma between the city and the state when you write an address.
She forgot to add a comma in the long list of names.
Note
2
noundialectalRomaniancountable
A small mark shaped like a comma, placed under a letter in some languages to change its sound.
Like a tiny tail added under a letter to give it a new sound.
In Romanian, a comma under the letter t marks a different sound.
Some languages write a comma below a letter instead of a cedilla.
Note
3
nouncountable
A butterfly with ragged wing edges and a small white comma-shaped mark under its wings.
When it folds its wings, it looks just like a dry, dead leaf.
A comma settled on the brambles, its wings folded like a dead leaf.
We saw several commas feeding on ripe fruit in the fall.
Note
4
nouncountable
A tiny difference in pitch between two notes that should sound almost the same.
Like two rulers that show almost the same length but differ by a tiny amount.
A good piano tuner hides the comma by adjusting every string slightly.
The comma is so small that most listeners never notice it.
Note
5
nouncountable
A mark used to separate items when writing out a genetic sequence.
Like the small breaks that keep items on a list from running together.
Scientists put a comma between the two gene versions when they write a genotype.
A comma separates each change listed in the genetic report.
6
nounrhetoriccountable
In old Greek speech-making, a short clause shorter than a colon, usually under eight syllables.
Like a short burst of words, quicker than a full sentence.
The orator built his speech from short commas that struck like hammer blows.
He could pack real force into a single comma.
Note
7
nounfigurativelycountable
A short pause or break between two moments in time.
Like a quick breath before things start up again.
There was only a comma between the two announcements.
He paused for a comma before giving his answer.
Similarpause, break, lull, interval

Less common meaning

8
verbraretransitive
To add a comma or commas to a piece of writing.
Like adding small pauses to writing so it is easier to read.
Remember to comma the items in your list.
She commaed the long sentence to make it clearer.
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of comma apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Latin comma, from Greek komma, from kopto meaning "I cut."