One syllable: dash.
dash
/dæʃ/
dash is pronounced dash (/dæʃ/). It has one syllable (dash), with the stress on "dash". Dash refers to a quick, pointed throw or run, a punctuation mark, or a sudden movement. In speech, it denotes a brief, sharp pause or interruption in delivery. The term can function as a verb meaning to run quickly or to strike violently, and as a noun for a dash of something or the punctuation symbol—each usage carries a brisk, emphatic nuance.
Dash refers to a quick, pointed throw or run, a punctuation mark, or a sudden movement. In speech, it denotes a brief, sharp pause or interruption in delivery. The term can function as a verb meaning to run quickly or to strike violently, and as a noun for a dash of something or the punctuation symbol—each usage carries a brisk, emphatic nuance.
"- The runner made a rapid dash to the finish line."
"- She used a dash of lemon to brighten the flavor."
"- In the script, a dramatic dash interrupts the sentence."
You pronounce it as /dæʃ/, a single stressed syllable with a short, clean /æ/ vowel and a voiceless /ʃ/ at the end. Start with a light, quick onset, keep the tongue low and relaxed for /æ/, and finish with a brisk release into the /ʃ/ fricative. The mouth closes around a small, quick burst of air; avoid prolonging the vowel. Think “d-ash” with a sharp stop after the /æ/.
Two common errors: mispronouncing the final /ʃ/ as /s/ or /tʃ/, and lengthening the /æ/ into a drawn-out vowel. Correct by ensuring a short, clipped /æ/ and a forward, hushing /ʃ/ without lip rounding. Practice with the minimal pair: dash vs dashy (the latter adds a short /i/ effect), and record yourself to verify the crisp /ʃ/ closure.
In US/UK/AU, the core /dæʃ/ is similar, but rhoticity can color surrounding vowels in connected speech. US speakers may link to following words with a lighter liaison, while UK and AU retain a crisper, slightly shorter /æ/ in isolated speech. The /ʃ/ remains consistent. Australian speech may show slightly more centralized tongue position and a subtle vowel‑quality shift depending on rapid pace.
The challenge lies in the quick, abrupt arc from vowel to voiceless post-alveolar fricative /ʃ/. Achieving a clean /æ/ with a short duration, followed by an immediate, unvoiced /ʃ/ can feel abrupt, especially in rapid speech or connected speech where coarticulation shifts occur. Tactile cues: place the tongue mid-height for /æ/, then glide into a forward, constricted /ʃ/.
Stress is on the single syllable of dash by itself; the word is monomorphemic with one primary accent. In compounds or phrases, emphasis may shift to the whole phrase where dash signals abruptness—e.g., “Make a dash for it” emphasizes the verb action, while punctuation discussions emphasize the dash symbol itself. Remember: no secondary stress; keep the vowel compact and the final /ʃ/ clean.
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Dash comes from Middle English dashen, from Old French dasche, from Medieval Latin dascare, of uncertain origin, possibly imitative of a striking motion. The modern sense as a verb meaning to run swiftly emerged in Early Modern English, aligning with senses of “strike abruptly” or “racing forward.” The noun senses expanded to include the dash punctuation, a symbol used to indicate interruption, abrupt breaks, or a stylistic pause in writing. By the 16th century, dash as a verb for “to dash off” appeared in literary usage, implying hurried action. In contemporary usage, dash covers physical speed (dash to the door), a rapid movement or attempt, and the typographic dash (en dash, em dash), which evolved from marks used to separate phrases and indicate ranges before the standardization of punctuation. First known uses appear in English texts around the 14th–16th centuries, with evolving typography in the 17th–19th centuries as printers standardized em and en dashes. The term’s versatility makes it a frequent choice across spoken and written language, reinforcing its sharp, decisive connotation across contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "dash" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "dash" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "dash"
-ash sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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