dash

DASH/dæʃ/

26 meanings of dash

1
nouncountable
A short horizontal line used in writing to join numbers or to set off part of a sentence.
Like a tiny bridge that joins two words or numbers.
Add a dash between the two numbers to show a range.
The writer used a dash to break up a long sentence.
Note
2
verbintransitive
To run fast over a short distance.
Like running fast to catch a bus before the doors close.
She dashed across the street before the light changed.
I have to dash to catch my train.
Similarsprint, rush, bolt
Oppositedawdle, amble, stroll
3
nouncountable
A very small amount of a liquid or powder added to food.
Like a quick shake from the salt jar — just a little bit.
Add a dash of milk to the sauce.
She put a dash of salt in the soup.
Similardrop, hint, bit, touch, dab
Note
4
nounabbreviationellipsis
Short form of dashboard. It means the panel of controls in front of a driver.
She kept her phone mounted on the dash.
The keys were sitting on the dash.
Note
5
nouncountable
A quick run over a short distance.
Like a short, fast sprint to reach something quickly.
She made a dash for the door when it started to rain.
He won the short dash at the school sports day.
Similarsprint, rush
6
verbtransitive
To make someone feel sad or lose hope.
Like when dark clouds cover the sun and the whole day feels sad.
The news of the loss completely dashed her.
Repeated failures can dash a hopeful beginner.
Similardepress, sadden, dishearten, dispirit, grieve
Oppositeencourage, hearten, cheer
7
verbtransitive
To write or draw something quickly.
Like quickly scribbling a phone number before you forget it.
Let me dash a note to remind myself.
She dashed a few lines of the song on a napkin.
Similarscribble, jot, scrawl
8
verbcolloquialintransitive
To leave in a hurry.
Like saying 'I have to run!' and rushing out the door.
I really must dash, or I'll be late.
She dashed off without saying goodbye.
Similarleave, go (entry), depart, exit, split
Oppositestay, linger
9
verbtransitive
To finish something very quickly.
Like cleaning your room in five minutes before guests arrive.
I'll dash off the report tonight.
She dashed off the email in two minutes.
Similarscribble
Note
10
nounfigurativelycountable
A small amount of one thing mixed into another.
Like adding a little spice to make food more interesting.
Her voice had a dash of humor.
The film has a dash of mystery to it.
Similartouch, hint, element

11
nouncountable
A sudden, fast rush or attack.
Like a wave rushing fast and hard onto the beach.
The soldiers made a dash at the enemy gate.
With one wild dash, the dog charged at the door.
Similarsurge, thrust, spurt
12
nouncountable
A short line used as a minus sign or to join words.
Like a small line that can join two words or take away a number.
Add a dash between the two words to join them.
He wrote a dash before the number to show it was negative.
Similarhyphen, minus
Note
13
nouncountable
The longer of the two signals used in Morse code, paired with the dot.
Like a long beep compared with a quick tap.
The letter T is just a single dash in Morse code.
A long beep stands for a dash, and a short one for a dot.
Oppositedot
Note
14
verbfigurativelytransitive or intransitive
To scatter or sprinkle bits of something over or through something else.
Like sprinkling sugar over the top of a cake.
The author likes to dash her novels with little jokes.
Morning frost dashed the windows with delicate silver patterns.
Similarsprinkle, scatter, strew, dust, speckle
Note
15
verbtransitive
To throw something very hard.
She dashed the letter into the fire without reading it.
Don't dash the toys onto the floor like that.
Similarhurl, throw, fling, sling, cast
16
verbtransitive
To break something by hitting it hard against a surface.
Like smashing an egg against the edge of a bowl until it breaks.
The huge wave dashed the boat to pieces on the rocks.
Careful, or you could dash that vase against the table.
Similarhit, smash, beat, batter, knock
Note
17
verbtransitive
To completely ruin someone's hopes, plans, or expectations.
Like a big wave washing away a sandcastle in a second.
The bad news dashed her hopes of winning.
One careless mistake can dash all your plans.
Similardestroy, wreck, ruin, demolish, crush
Oppositeraise, boost
Note
18
noununcountable
A bold, showy kind of energy and confidence in how someone acts.
Like the bold strut of a peacock showing off its feathers.
He rode into town with great dash and confidence.
Her dash on the dance floor made everyone stop and watch.
Similarenergy, vitality, vim
19
nouncountable
A hard, sudden hit or blow.
Like a sudden, hard slap that lands fast.
He gave the heavy door a dash with his fist.
The fighter landed a dash to his opponent's jaw.
Similarblow, knock, thwack
Note
20
nouncolloquialcountable
The main feed page where a social media user sees posts.
Like a noticeboard that keeps filling up with new notes from everyone you follow.
She scrolled through her dash before breakfast.
Funny posts kept showing up on my dash all day.
Similarfeed, timeline
Note
21
nounIndiaUKcountable
The small mark ′ written after a letter or number, as in x′.
Like adding a small mark to a name to show it's a second, related version.
Her teacher wrote x dash on the board beside the plain x.
We label the second point B dash to tell it apart from B.
Similarprime
Note
22
interjectioneuphemistic
A mild word people say out loud when they are annoyed or upset.
Dash! I forgot my keys again.
Oh, dash, the bus just left without me.
Similardamn, darn, dang, drat, blast
23
noundatedeuphemisticcountable
A long mark used in writing to hide a rude or forbidden word.
Like covering a bad word with a black sticker so no one can read it.
In the old novel, every swear word was hidden behind a dash.
Who the dash is this person whom none of us know? and what the dash does he do here?
1884, Lord Robert Gower, My ReminiscencesHere, dash stands in for a rude word like damn or devil.
Similarbeep
Note
24
verbdatedeuphemistictransitive
To curse or condemn something, used as a mild old-fashioned swear word.
Dash this stubborn lock, it won't open!
He dashed the weather for spoiling his whole trip.
Similardarn
Note
25
verbdatedtransitive
To weaken a drink or product by adding something cheaper to it.
Like adding water to juice so there's more of it to sell.
The innkeeper dashed the wine with cheap water to make it last.
Some sellers dash good flour with chalk to add weight.
Similardebase, corrupt, pollute, adulterate
Note
26
nounNigeriacountable
A gift, tip, or bribe given to someone.
The driver asked for a small dash before loading the bags.
She gave the gateman a dash so he would let them through.
Similarbribe, gift, present, inducement, sweetener
Note

Practice

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

Origin

This word comes from an old English word meaning to strike, related to a Danish word 'daske' meaning to slap or hit. Its exact origin is unclear.