DASH

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does dash mean? 

• DASH (noun)
  The noun DASH has 6 senses:

1. distinctive and stylish elegance

2. a quick run

3. a footrace run at top speed

4. a punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text

5. the longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code

6. the act of moving with great haste

  Familiarity information: DASH used as a noun is common.

• DASH (verb)
  The verb DASH has 6 senses:

1. run or move very quickly or hastily

2. break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over

3. hurl or thrust violently

4. destroy or break

5. cause to lose courage

6. add an enlivening or altering element to

  Familiarity information: DASH used as a verb is common.

 Dictionary entry details 

• DASH (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Distinctive and stylish elegance

Classified under:

Nouns denoting attributes of people and objects

Synonyms:

dash; elan; flair; panache; style

Context example:

he wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer

Hypernyms ("dash" is a kind of...):

elegance (a refined quality of gracefulness and good taste)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A quick run

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

dash; sprint

Hypernyms ("dash" is a kind of...):

run; running (the act of running; traveling on foot at a fast pace)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "dash"):

break (a sudden dash)

Derivation:

dash (run or move very quickly or hastily)

Sense 3

Meaning:

A footrace run at top speed

Classified under:

Nouns denoting natural events

Context example:

he is preparing for the 100-yard dash

Hypernyms ("dash" is a kind of...):

track event (a footrace performed on a track (indoor or outdoor))

Sense 4

Meaning:

A punctuation mark (-) used between parts of a compound word or between the syllables of a word when the word is divided at the end of a line of text

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

dash; hyphen

Hypernyms ("dash" is a kind of...):

punctuation; punctuation mark (the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases)

Sense 5

Meaning:

The longer of the two telegraphic signals used in Morse code

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Synonyms:

dah; dash

Hypernyms ("dash" is a kind of...):

radiotelegraphic signal; telegraphic signal (a signal transmitted by telegraphy)

Holonyms ("dash" is a part of...):

international Morse code; Morse; Morse code (a telegraph code in which letters and numbers are represented by strings of dots and dashes (short and long signals))

Sense 6

Meaning:

The act of moving with great haste

Classified under:

Nouns denoting acts or actions

Synonyms:

bolt; dash

Context example:

he made a dash for the door

Hypernyms ("dash" is a kind of...):

haste; hurry; rush; rushing (the act of moving hurriedly and in a careless manner)

Derivation:

dash (run or move very quickly or hastily)

• DASH (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they dash    ... he / she / it dashes   
Past simple: dashed   
Past participle: dashed   
-ing form: dashing   

Sense 1

Meaning:

Run or move very quickly or hastily

Classified under:

Verbs of walking, flying, swimming

Synonyms:

dart; dash; flash; scoot; scud; shoot

Context example:

She dashed into the yard

Hypernyms (to "dash" is one way to...):

belt along; bucket along; cannonball along; hasten; hie; hotfoot; pelt along; race; rush; rush along; speed; step on it (move hurridly)

Verb group:

buck; charge; shoot; shoot down; tear (move quickly and violently)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "dash"):

plunge (dash violently or with great speed or impetuosity)

Sentence frames:

Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s PP

Derivation:

dash (a quick run)

dash (the act of moving with great haste)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Break into pieces, as by striking or knocking over

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Synonyms:

dash; smash

Context example:

Smash a plate

Hypernyms (to "dash" is one way to...):

break (destroy the integrity of; usually by force; cause to separate into pieces or fragments)

Verb group:

smash (break suddenly into pieces, as from a violent blow)

Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "dash"):

blast; knock down (shatter as if by explosion)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something

Sense 3

Meaning:

Hurl or thrust violently

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Synonyms:

crash; dash

Context example:

Waves were dashing against the rock

Hypernyms (to "dash" is one way to...):

cast; hurl; hurtle (throw forcefully)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s something PP

Sense 4

Meaning:

Destroy or break

Classified under:

Verbs of political and social activities and events

Context example:

dashed ambitions and hopes

Hypernyms (to "dash" is one way to...):

baffle; bilk; cross; foil; frustrate; queer; scotch; spoil; thwart (hinder or prevent (the efforts, plans, or desires) of)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s something

Sense 5

Meaning:

Cause to lose courage

Classified under:

Verbs of feeling

Synonyms:

dash; daunt; frighten away; frighten off; pall; scare; scare away; scare off

Context example:

dashed by the refusal

Hypernyms (to "dash" is one way to...):

intimidate (to compel or deter by or as if by threats)

Sentence frame:

Something ----s somebody

Sense 6

Meaning:

Add an enlivening or altering element to

Classified under:

Verbs of size, temperature change, intensifying, etc.

Context example:

blue paint dashed with white

Hypernyms (to "dash" is one way to...):

mix; mix in (add as an additional element or part)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

 Context examples 

We were dashing along the smooth white country road, with the long stretch of the Broads in front of us glimmering in the red light of the setting sun.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The lady sprang to her feet, with the colour all dashed in an instant from her beautiful face.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The fact that the Examiner of that morning had failed to publish his treasure-hunting article did not dash his spirits.

(Martin Eden, by Jack London)

Let me pass, I say!’ He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon.

(The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The wind was freshening rapidly, the Ghost heeling over more and more, and by the time the state-room was ready she was dashing through the water at a lively clip.

(The Sea-Wolf, by Jack London)

Instinctively they reined in, and at the instant Lord Godalming and Jonathan dashed up at one side and Dr. Seward and Mr. Morris on the other.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

In places the water dashed against their knees, and both men staggered for footing.

(Love of Life and Other Stories, by Jack London)

Yet he faced his foemen with dauntless courage, dashing in, springing back, sure-footed, steady-handed, with a point which seemed to menace three at once.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

She dashed invisible tears from her eyes.

(Rodney Stone, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

A new study has dashed hopes that people may be able to protect themselves from dementia through medicine, diet or exercise.

(Study: There's No Fail-safe Way to Prevent Dementia, VOA)