dashed; dashing; dashes
1
: to move with sudden speed
dashed down the hallway
2
: smash
waves dashing against the rocks
1
: to break by striking or knocking
angrily dashed the bouquet of flowers against the table
2
3
: to complete, execute, or finish off hastily
—used with down or off
dashed down a drink
dash off a letter
… he dashed off the book in eight weeks …—
Paul Fussell
Paul Fussell4
: to knock, hurl, or thrust violently
dashed water onto his face
a boat that had been dashed against the rocks
6
: to affect by mixing in something different
His delight was dashed with bitterness.
7
[euphemism]
: damn entry 1 sense 4
Dash it all!
1
a
grammar
: a punctuation mark — that is used especially to indicate a break in the thought or structure of a sentence
b
: a stroke of a pen
2
: a small usually distinctive addition
a dash of salt
a dash of humor
3
a
: a sudden onset, rush, or attempt
make a dash for shelter
b
sports
: a short fast race
won the 100-meter dash
4
: animation in style and action
the verve and dash of her personal writings
5
automotive vehicles
: dashboard sense 2
Put the map on the dash.
6
: a long click or buzz forming a letter or part of a letter (as in Morse code)
a combination of dots and dashes
7
: flashy display
really cuts a dash in his new suit
8
a(1)
: a sudden burst or splash
a dash of rain
(2)
: the sound produced by such a burst
b
archaic
: blow
Examples of dash in a Sentence
Verb
I'm sorry, but I must dash. I'm late.
She dashed down the hallway to the bathroom.
People were dashing inside to get out of the rain.
The waves dashed the boat against the rocks.
Her hopes of winning a medal were dashed after she broke her leg.
Noun
We made a dash for the exit.
the cavalry officer's dash and enthusiasm inspired his men to follow him into battle
Recent Examples on the Web
Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Not to mention that the momentum now happening could easily be dashed.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Blend 15 Medjool dates with half a cup of coconut milk, a pinch of salt, vanilla extract, and a dash of cinnamon.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dash
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Verb
These are not the best fits to the data points (dashed yellow line at right), which instead indicate that the sum of the masses of the three species of neutrino should be negative (black line at right), which is an unphysical solution.
—Big Think, 30 Oct. 2025
Not to mention that the momentum now happening could easily be dashed.
—Burgess Everett, semafor.com, 29 Oct. 2025
Noun
Think a more year-round COTA, with a dash more exclusivity sprinkled in.
—Patrick Iversen, New York Times, 25 Oct. 2025
Blend 15 Medjool dates with half a cup of coconut milk, a pinch of salt, vanilla extract, and a dash of cinnamon.
—Maggie O'Neill, Verywell Health, 24 Oct. 2025
See All Example Sentences for dash
Cite this Entry
“Dash.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dash. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dash
1 of 2 verb1
: to knock, hurl, or thrust violently
the storm dashed the boat against a reef
2
: to break by striking or knocking
dashed a plate against the wall
4
: destroy sense 1, ruin
dash one's hopes
5
: to affect by mixing in something different
the sauce was dashed with vinegar
6
: to perform or finish hastily
dash off a letter
7
: to move with sudden speed
dashed upstairs
dasher
noun
dash
2 of 2 noun1
: a sudden burst or splash
a dash of cold water
2
a
: a stroke of a pen
b
: a punctuation mark — that is used chiefly to indicate a break in the thought or structure of a sentence
3
: a small usually special and noticeable addition
add a dash of salt
4
: liveliness in style and action
a leader of dash and vigor
5
a
: a sudden rush or attempt
made a dash for the exit
b
: a short fast race
6
: a long click or buzz forming a letter or part of a letter (as in Morse code)
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