Slash vs. Hyphen: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 28, 2023
A slash (/) is a punctuation mark used to indicate alternatives or fractions, while a hyphen (-) is used to join words or separate syllables of a single word.
Key Differences
A slash, also known as a forward slash, is used in writing to denote alternatives, fractions, or divisions. A hyphen is a shorter mark used primarily to join two or more words together or to break single words into parts.
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The slash is often used in dates, mathematical operations, and to separate lines of poetry when quoted in text. Hyphens are commonly used in compound words and to split a word at the end of a line of text.
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In digital contexts, slashes are used in URLs and to denote directories in computer file systems. Hyphens are used in email addresses, phone numbers, and to avoid ambiguity in compound terms.
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A slash can imply a relationship or choice between the connected items. A hyphen, on the other hand, creates a direct link between words, often forming a new concept or compound noun.
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The usage of a slash is more varied and can include indicating "or" or "and," while a hyphen's primary function is to unite words or syllables.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Function
Indicates alternatives, fractions, or divisions.
Joins words or separates syllables.
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Common Usage
Dates, URLs, poetry line separation.
Compound words, word division, phone numbers.
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Role in Sentences
Offers choices, connects related items.
Forms compound terms, assists in word breaking.
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Contextual Examples
"He/she," "24/7," "line breaks (line1/line2)."
"Mother-in-law," "re-entry," "long-term."
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Slash and Hyphen Definitions
Slash
Employed in digital contexts, like URLs or file paths.
Visit our website at www.example.com/about.
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Slash
Separates lines of poetry or music when quoted in text.
Twinkle, twinkle, little star/How I wonder what you are.
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Hyphen
Connects syllables of a single word, especially in line breaks.
This is an un-forgettable experience.
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Slash
To cut or form by cutting with forceful sweeping strokes
Slash a path through the underbrush.
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Hyphen
Used in written numbers and fractions.
Twenty-one students attended the class.
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Hyphen
Joins prefixes or suffixes to base words.
The project was re-evaluated.
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Slash
To cut a slit or slits in, especially so as to reveal an underlying color
Slash a sleeve.
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Hyphen
A punctuation mark used to join words and form compound terms.
A well-known author.
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Slash
(Sports) To swing a stick at (an opponent) in ice hockey or lacrosse, in violation of the rules.
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Hyphen
A punctuation mark ( - ) used between the parts of a compound word or name or between the syllables of a word, especially when divided at the end of a line of text.
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Slash
(Sports) To hit or propel (a ball, for instance) forcefully in a straight line.
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Hyphen
The symbol "‐", typically used to join two or more words to form a compound term, or to indicate that a word has been split at the end of a line.
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Slash
To cut one's way with such strokes
We slashed through the dense jungle.
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Hyphen
Someone who belongs to a marginalized subgroup, and can therefore described by a hyphenated term, such as "German-American", "female-academic", etc.
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Hyphen
Used to emphasize the coordinating function usually indicated by the punctuation "-".
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Hyphen
A mark or short dash, thus [-], placed at the end of a line which terminates with a syllable of a word, the remainder of which is carried to the next line; or between the parts of many a compound word; as in fine-leaved, clear-headed. It is also sometimes used to separate the syllables of words.
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Hyphen
To connect with, or separate by, a hyphen, as two words or the parts of a word.
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Slash
A diagonal mark ( / ) that is used especially to separate alternatives, as in and/or, to represent the word per, as in miles/hour, to separate component parts of a URL, as in whitehouse.gov/kids/patriotism/, and to indicate the ends of verse lines printed continuously, as in Old King Cole / Was a merry old soul. Also called virgule.
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Hyphen
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
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Slash
Branches and other residue left on a forest floor after the cutting of timber.
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Slash
A genre of fanfic depicting romantic relationships between characters, usually of the same sex, that are not romantically connected in the original work or works upon which the fanfic is based.
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Slash
As well as; and. Used as a representation of the virgule (as in restaurant/art gallery or actor/director), often styled with hyphens in print
A restaurant slash art gallery.
An actor-slash-director.
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Slash
A swift, broad, cutting stroke made by an edged weapon or whip.
A slash of his blade just missed my ear.
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Slash
A hard swift lateral strike with a hockey or lacrosse stick, usually across another player's arms or legs.
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Slash
Any similar wide striking motion.
He took a wild slash at the ball but the captain saved the team's skin by hacking it clear and setting up the team for a strike on the goal.
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Slash
(figuratively) A sharp reduction.
After the war ended, the army saw a 50% slash in their operating budget.
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Slash
A cut or laceration, often deep, made by an edged weapon or whip.
He was bleeding from a slash across his cheek.
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Slash
(fashion) A slit in an outer garment exposing a lining or inner garment, usually of a contrasting color or design; any intentional long vertical cut in a garment. Clearing
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Slash
A clearing in a forest, (particularly) those made by logging, fire, or other violent action.
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Slash
The slash mark: the punctuation mark ⟨/⟩, sometimes inclusive of any mark produced by a similar slashing movement of the pen, as the backslash ⟨\⟩.
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Slash
The loose woody debris remaining from a slash, the trimmings left while preparing felled trees for removal.
Slash generated during logging may constitute a fire hazard.
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Slash
A piss: an act of urination.
Where's the gents? I need to take a slash.
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Slash
(UK) slatch: a deep trough of finely-fractured culm or a circular or elliptical pocket of coal.
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Slash
To cut with a swift broad stroke of an edged weapon.
They slashed at him with their swords, but only managed to nick one of his fingers.
She hacked and slashed her way across the jungle.
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Slash
(ice hockey) To strike swiftly and laterally with a hockey stick, usually across another player's arms or legs.
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Slash
(figuratively) To reduce sharply.
Competition forced them to slash prices.
Profits are only up right now because they slashed overhead, but employee morale and product quality have collapsed too.
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Slash
To clear land, with violent action such as logging or brushfires or through grazing.
The province's traditional slash-and-burn agriculture was only sustainable with a much smaller population.
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Slash
(North America) Used to list alternatives.
Alternatives can be marked by the slash/stroke/solidus punctuation mark, a tall, right-slanting oblique line.
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Slash
To strike violently and at random, esp. with an edged instrument; to lay about one indiscriminately with blows; to cut hastily and carelessly.
Hewing and slashing at their idle shades.
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Slash
A large slit in the material of any garment, made to show the lining through the openings.
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Slash
A opening or gap in a forest made by wind, fire, or other destructive agency.
We passed over the shoulder of a ridge and around the edge of a fire slash, and then we had the mountain fairly before us.
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Slash
An open tract of land in a forest that is strewn with debris from logging (or fire or wind)
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Slash
Beat severely with a whip or rod;
The teacher often flogged the students
The children were severely trounced
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Slash
Move or stir about violently;
The feverish patient thrashed around in his bed
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Slash
A punctuation mark used to denote a range or a pairing.
The store is open Monday/Friday.
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Slash
Serves as a separation mark in dates or fractions.
Today's date is 12/31.
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Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a slash?
A slash is a punctuation mark (/) used for alternatives or divisions.
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What is a hyphen?
A hyphen is a short, horizontal line (-) used to connect words or syllables.
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Is a hyphen used in phone numbers?
Yes, hyphens are often used in phone numbers for clarity.
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What does a slash symbolize in poetry?
In poetry, a slash indicates a line break when quoted in text.
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When is a hyphen necessary?
A hyphen is needed in compound words and for word breaks.
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Can a slash be used in formal writing?
Yes, but sparingly and in appropriate contexts like dates or fractions.
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Can hyphens be used in email addresses?
No, hyphens are not typically used in email addresses.
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Can a slash replace the word 'or'?
Yes, a slash can be used to imply "or" between choices.
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When should I use a slash?
Use a slash for options, ranges, fractions, or in URLs.
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Do slashes have different meanings in computing?
Yes, slashes are used in file paths and URLs in computing.
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How does a hyphen aid in reading?
Hyphens help clarify compound words and prevent misreading.
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Can slashes be used in mathematical expressions?
Yes, slashes are commonly used as division symbols in math.
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Is there a keyboard shortcut for a slash?
The slash is usually on the same key as the question mark.
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Are hyphens used in compound adjectives?
Yes, hyphens are often used in compound adjectives.
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Do hyphens connect prefixes and suffixes?
Yes, hyphens connect certain prefixes and suffixes to base words.
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Where is the hyphen key on a keyboard?
The hyphen key is typically next to the zero on standard keyboards.
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What's the difference between a slash and a backslash?
A slash leans forward (/), while a backslash leans backward ().
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Should hyphens be used in long compound nouns?
Yes, especially when the compound noun might be confusing without it.
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What is the function of a slash in dates?
A slash in dates separates the day, month, and year.
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How do hyphens clarify meaning in sentences?
Hyphens can clarify the relationship between words in a compound modifier.
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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