hyphenate

(fə nāt′; for adj., -nit, -nāt′)

transitive verb hyphenated, hyphenating

  1. to connect or separate by a hyphen
  2. to write or print with a hyphen

adjective

hyphenated

noun

a person who has more than one job or function, as in the film industry: a producer-director-writer is a Hollywood hyphenate

Origin: < the use of hyphens to separate job titles

Related Forms:

See hyphenate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb hy·phen·at·ed, hy·phen·at·ing, hy·phen·ates
To divide or connect (syllables, word elements, or names) with a hyphen.
noun hy·phen·ate (-nĭtˌ, -nātˌ)
One who performs more than one job or function: auditioned singer-dancers, actor-models, and other hyphenates.

Related Forms:

  • hyˌphen·aˈtion noun

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