2 syllables: dash, es. Stress on dash.
/ˈdæʃɪz/
Say it backDashes is the plural noun or verb form of dash, meaning long or quick strokes or lines in text or action. As a noun, it refers to long marks used for punctuation or to rapid, sweeping motions; as a verb, it means to dash or run quickly. The word emphasizes quickness or separation and is used in both writing and motion contexts. It’s commonly encountered in typography, weather reports, and sports commentary.
"- The detective made several dashes across the map to indicate the route."
"- In the newspaper, long dashes were used to create a dramatic pause."
"- He dashes toward the finish line, determined to win."
You say /ˈdæʃɪz/. The stress is on the first syllable: DA-shez. The final -es is pronounced as z, like the verb forms in many regular plural nouns. Tip: keep the vowel short in the first syllable, and end with a voiced z-sound. Listen for/compare to 'bashes' or 'crashes' to confirm the /ʃ/ + /ɪz/ sequence.
Common mistakes include treating it as /ˈdeɪʃɪz/ with a long A, or replacing /ʃ/ with /s/ or /tʃ/. Some speakers blend the final /z/ into a voiceless /s/ or omit the /z/ entirely. Correction: keep the short flat /æ/ in the first syllable, maintain the /ʃ/ sound before /ɪ/ and ensure the final consonant is voiced /z/. Practice with minimal pairs: dashes vs. dasheses is incorrect; dashes vs. dashes is not helpful; focus on the /ʃɪz/ cluster.
In General American, /ˈdæʃɪz/ with a clear /æ/ and a voiced /z/. UK tends to keep the same, but some speakers merge with /ɒ/ in fast speech or reduce the vowel slightly in connected speech. Australian tends toward a slightly flatter /æ/ and may vocalize the /ɪ/ more quickly; the /z/ remains voiced. Overall, rhoticity doesn’t affect the word much, but vowel quality and speed vary. Compare to /ˈdæʃəz/ in some rapid speech variants.
The difficulty often lies in clustering /ʃ/ with a short /æ/ and then the final voiced /z/. Beginners trip on keeping /æ/ distinct from /eɪ/ and on not turning /ʃ/ into /s/ or /tʃ/. Mastery comes from practicing the /ʃ/ plus voiced /z/ sequence, ensuring the tongue blade sits high for /ʃ/ and the vocal cords vibrate for /z/. Controlled practice with touchpoints on lip and tongue positions helps prevent slurring.
A good question to consider is whether you voice the final /z/ clearly in rapid speech or reduce it in casual contexts. In careful speech, the final /z/ is fully voiced (/z/). In fast or casual speech, it might be devoiced to /s/, especially after a voiceless consonant, so you’ll hear /ˈdæʃɪs/. The difference is subtle but noticeable in rhythm and clarity.
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Dashes comes from dash (verb) or dash (noun). The noun dash traces to Old English dasan or similar Germanic roots meaning ‘to strike or dash’ and to the Latin dashedus in later borrowings; the sense of a short or long mark developed through early printing practices, with typographers using em- or en-dashes for punctuation and to indicate breaks or interruptions. The verb dash originated from Middle English dashen, meaning to strike or move quickly, reflecting swift, sudden action. The modern plural form dashes arises from adding -es to the noun or third-person singular verb form, common in English spelling. First known uses in printed English date to the 14th-15th centuries for punctuation and mark-making, expanding in the 17th-18th centuries as typography evolved, while the meaning relating to running or moving quickly has older Germanic roots tied to rapid motion. The word’s evolution shows a shift from a physical act to a typographical symbol and a sporting/movement metaphor, ultimately covering both textual punctuation and kinetic contexts.
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💡 These words have similar meanings to "dashes" and can often be used interchangeably.
🔄 These words have opposite meanings to "dashes" and show contrast in usage.
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Words that rhyme with "dashes"
-hes sounds
Practice with these rhyming pairs to improve your pronunciation consistency:
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