What does hyphenated mean?
Hyphenated is an adjective meaning joined or marked with a hyphen, the small horizontal mark used in writing to connect words, word elements, or parts of a compound. It most often describes a compound whose elements are written separately with a hyphen, as in a hyphenated surname or a hyphenated compound adjective. Hyphenation can show that the parts of a word have a close grammatical relationship, clarify meaning, or prevent misreading, although the correct use of hyphens depends on linguistic conventions and context. The word is common in discussions of spelling, editing, names, and compound forms. It can also occur as a verb form meaning to join or mark something with a hyphen, but that use is less frequent than the adjective. Hyphenation is recognized in both British and American English, though individual compounds may be treated differently by different style guides.
Joined or marked with a hyphen; especially, written as a compound whose elements are connected by a hyphen.
"The editor preferred the hyphenated form of the compound word."
This is the usual and dominant part of speech. It is common in editorial and linguistic contexts as well as in descriptions of names and compounds.
To join or mark with a hyphen.
"The editor hyphenated the compound adjective."
This is the third-person singular simple present form of the verb hyphenate and is much less common than the adjectival use.
The humble hyphen quietly holds compound words together, turning separate ideas into a single grammatical unit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hyphenated come from?
The word derives from English hyphenate, which in turn comes from hyphen. Hyphen was borrowed through Latin from Greek hyphén, meaning “together.” The form hyphenated developed from the verb stem with the usual English adjectival ending -ed and began to be used for compounds joined by a hyphen.
Related word forms
How hyphenated is actually used
Common in editorial, linguistic, and everyday discussion of spelling. As a verb form, it is much less common than the adjective and usually means to join or mark something with a hyphen.
Easily confused with hyphenated
A hyphen is the punctuation mark itself, whereas hyphenated describes a word or element that is joined or marked by such a mark.