Slash vs. Hyphen: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 4, 2023
"Slash" is a punctuation mark (/) often indicating alternatives or fractions, while "Hyphen" is a short line (-) connecting words or separating syllables.
Key Differences
The "Slash" and the "Hyphen" are two distinct punctuation marks with different functions and appearances. A "Slash," also known as a forward slash or virgule, resembles a diagonal line that runs from bottom left to top right. The "Hyphen," on the other hand, is a short horizontal line.
"Slash" serves various purposes in writing. It can denote alternatives as in "and/or", fractions like ½, or represent line breaks when quoting poetry in prose. "Hyphen" primarily joins words or parts of words, such as in compound terms like "mother-in-law" or "well-known."
In web addresses and computer commands, the "Slash" plays a significant role, marking divisions and indicating paths. For instance, "www.example.com/about/" uses slashes. "Hyphen" does not have this digital function but is often employed in written text to avoid ambiguity, as in "re-sign" (sign again) versus "resign" (quit).
Despite their different applications, both "Slash" and "Hyphen" contribute to clarity in text. However, it's crucial to avoid interchangeably using them. For instance, "pro-choice" with a hyphen indicates a stance on a topic, while "pro/choice" with a slash suggests alternatives.
Comparison Chart
Appearance
Diagonal line (/)
Short horizontal line (-)
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Function
Indicates alternatives, fractions, or line breaks.
Connects words or parts of words.
Usage
Common in web addresses and computer commands.
Used in compound terms or to avoid ambiguity.
Alternatives
Forward slash, virgule, stroke.
Dash (though not the same).
Common Errors
Mistakenly used for a backslash () in some contexts.
Confused with dashes (–, —).
Slash and Hyphen Definitions
Slash
A punctuation mark indicating alternatives.
Please choose the right color/type for your design.
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Hyphen
Separates syllables in a word.
The word re-enter has a hyphen.
Slash
Denotes a division or range.
The store is open Monday/Friday.
Hyphen
Connects words in compound terms.
My sister-in-law is visiting.
Slash
Symbolizes line breaks in quoted poetry.
To be or not to be:/That is the question.
Hyphen
Forms compound adjectives before nouns.
She has a three-year-old daughter.
Slash
To cut or form by cutting with forceful sweeping strokes
Slash a path through the underbrush.
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.
Slash
To make a gash or gashes in.
Hyphen
To hyphenate.
Slash
To cut a slit or slits in, especially so as to reveal an underlying color
Slash a sleeve.
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.
Slash
(Sports) To swing a stick at (an opponent) in ice hockey or lacrosse, in violation of the rules.
Hyphen
(figuratively) Something that links two more consequential things.
Slash
To criticize sharply
The reviewers slashed the composer's work.
Hyphen
An enclosed walkway or passage that connects two buildings.
Slash
(Sports) To hit or propel (a ball, for instance) forcefully in a straight line.
Hyphen
Someone who belongs to a marginalized subgroup, and can therefore described by a hyphenated term, such as "German-American", "female-academic", etc.
Slash
To reduce or curtail drastically
Slash prices for a clearance sale.
Hyphen
To separate or punctuate with a hyphen; to hyphenate.
Slash
To make forceful sweeping strokes with a sharp instrument.
Hyphen
Used to emphasize the coordinating function usually indicated by the punctuation "-".
Slash
To cut one's way with such strokes
We slashed through the dense jungle.
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.
Slash
To make drastic reductions in something
Slashing away at the budget.
Hyphen
To connect with, or separate by, a hyphen, as two words or the parts of a word.
Slash
A forceful sweeping stroke that is made with a sharp instrument.
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
Slash
A long cut or other opening made by such a stroke; a gash or slit.
Hyphen
Divide or connect with a hyphen;
Hyphenate these words and names
Slash
A decorative slit in a fabric or garment.
Hyphen
Avoids ambiguity in terms.
I need to re-sign the document.
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.
Hyphen
Joins prefixes to some base words.
This method is anti-inflammatory.
Slash
Branches and other residue left on a forest floor after the cutting of timber.
Slash
Often slashes Wet or swampy ground overgrown with bushes and trees.
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.
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.
Slash
A slashing action or motion, particularly:
Slash
A swift, broad, cutting stroke made by an edged weapon or whip.
A slash of his blade just missed my ear.
Slash
(cricket) A wild swinging strike of the bat.
Slash
A hard swift lateral strike with a hockey or lacrosse stick, usually across another player's arms or legs.
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.
Slash
(figuratively) A sharp reduction.
After the war ended, the army saw a 50% slash in their operating budget.
Slash
A mark made by a slashing motion, particularly:
Slash
A cut or laceration, often deep, made by an edged weapon or whip.
He was bleeding from a slash across his cheek.
Slash
(botany) A deep taper-pointed incision in a plant.
Slash
Something resembling such a mark, particularly:
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
Slash
A clearing in a forest, (particularly) those made by logging, fire, or other violent action.
Slash
The slash mark: the punctuation mark ⟨/⟩, sometimes inclusive of any mark produced by a similar slashing movement of the pen, as the backslash ⟨\⟩.
Slash
Female genitalia.
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.
Slash
(fandom slang) Slash fiction.
Slash
A drink of something; a draft.
Slash
A piss: an act of urination.
Where's the gents? I need to take a slash.
Slash
(US) A swampy area; a swamp.
Slash
(Scotland) A large quantity of watery food such as broth.
Slash
(UK) slatch: a deep trough of finely-fractured culm or a circular or elliptical pocket of coal.
Slash
To cut or attempt to cut, particularly:
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.
Slash
To produce a similar wound with a savage strike of a whip.
Slash
(ice hockey) To strike swiftly and laterally with a hockey stick, usually across another player's arms or legs.
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.
Slash
(fashion) To create slashes in a garment.
Slash
(figuratively) To criticize cuttingly.
Slash
To strike violently and randomly, particularly:
Slash
(cricket) To swing wildly at the ball.
Slash
To move quickly and violently.
Slash
To crack a whip with a slashing motion.
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.
Slash
To write slash fiction.
Slash
To piss, to urinate.
Slash
To work in wet conditions.
Slash
Used to note the sound or action of a slash.
Slash
(North America) Used to connect two or more identities in a list.
Slash
(North America) Used to list alternatives.
Alternatives can be marked by the slash/stroke/solidus punctuation mark, a tall, right-slanting oblique line.
Slash
To cut by striking violently and at random; to cut in long slits.
Slash
To lash; to ply the whip to.
Slash
To crack or snap, as a whip.
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.
Slash
A long cut; a cut made at random.
Slash
A large slit in the material of any garment, made to show the lining through the openings.
Slash
Swampy or wet lands overgrown with bushes.
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.
Slash
A wound made by cutting;
He put a bandage over the cut
Slash
An open tract of land in a forest that is strewn with debris from logging (or fire or wind)
Slash
A punctuation mark (/) used to separate related items of information
Slash
A strong sweeping cut made with a sharp instrument
Slash
Cut with sweeping strokes; as with an ax or machete
Slash
Beat severely with a whip or rod;
The teacher often flogged the students
The children were severely trounced
Slash
Cut open;
She slashed her wrists
Slash
Cut drastically;
Prices were slashed
Slash
Move or stir about violently;
The feverish patient thrashed around in his bed
Slash
Represents fractions.
She ate 1/2 of the cake.
Slash
Used in web addresses or computer paths.
Visit our website at http://www.example.com/about/.
FAQs
Can "Slash" and "Hyphen" be used interchangeably?
No, they serve different purposes in writing.
What is a "Slash"?
A "Slash" is a punctuation mark (/) indicating alternatives, fractions, or used in web addresses.
Is "Slash" used in URLs?
Yes, slashes are common in web addresses like "www.example.com/about/".
What is a "Hyphen"?
A "Hyphen" is a short line (-) used to connect words or parts of words.
Why use a "Hyphen" in writing?
Hyphens join words, form compound terms, and can avoid ambiguity.
When should I use a "Hyphen"?
Use hyphens in compound words, to connect prefixes, or to avoid confusion.
Can "Hyphen" separate syllables?
Yes, hyphens can be used to separate syllables in a word.
What's the difference between "Hyphen" and "Dash"?
While both connect, a "Hyphen" is shorter (-) and a "Dash" is longer (– or —).
Are "Slash" and "Virgule" the same?
Yes, "virgule" is another term for "Slash."
How does "Hyphen" work with compound adjectives?
A "Hyphen" joins words in compound adjectives before nouns, e.g., "well-known actor."
Can "Slash" indicate a range?
Yes, like "Monday/Friday" to indicate a range from Monday to Friday.
When shouldn't I use a "Hyphen"?
Don't use a hyphen when the compound modifier comes after the noun it modifies.
Is a "backslash" the same as a "Slash"?
No, a "Slash" is forward (/) while a "backslash" is backward ().
Can I use "Slash" for "and"?
Yes, a "Slash" can denote alternatives like "and/or."
Why might a word have a "Hyphen"?
To connect parts, indicate a break, or clarify pronunciation.
Does "Slash" have other names?
Yes, "Slash" can also be called a forward slash or virgule.
Are slashes used in dates?
Yes, slashes can separate day, month, and year, like 10/05/2023.
Is "Slash" common in computer commands?
Yes, slashes often appear in computer paths and commands.
How is "Slash" used in poetry?
A "Slash" can represent line breaks when quoting poetry in prose.
Should I hyphenate "email"?
Modern usage typically writes "email" without a hyphen.
About Author
Written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
Edited by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
