# dash

/ˈdæʃ/ (US) · /dˈæʃ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dash
Updated: 2026-08-15

## Senses

### 1. to run quickly

verb · CEFR B1

to run or move somewhere very quickly because you are in a hurry.

For teachers: to move with sudden speed or to rush a short distance.

- I have to dash to the shops before they close for the evening.
- The commuters dashed across the platform as the whistle blew, desperate to board the final train of the night.

### 2. to destroy hopes

verb · CEFR B2

to destroy someone's hopes or dreams.

For teachers: to frustrate or destroy something, especially hopes, dreams, or expectations.

- The sudden rain dashed our hopes of having a picnic in the park.
- The rejection letter effectively dashed his aspirations of attending the prestigious academy this year.

### 3. a quick run

noun · CEFR B1

a short, fast run or a quick movement.

For teachers: a sudden, brief period of rapid motion or a short race.

- We made a dash for the car when it started to pour with rain.
- The hundred-meter dash remains the most anticipated event of the track and field competition.

### 4. punctuation mark

noun · CEFR B2

a horizontal line (—) used in writing to separate parts of a sentence.

For teachers: a punctuation mark used to indicate a break in thought, a parenthetical element, or an omission.

- You can use a dash to add an extra thought at the end of your sentence.
- The author frequently employed the em-dash to create a conversational, slightly fragmented narrative style.

Usage: In formal writing, distinguish between the shorter en-dash and the longer em-dash.

### 5. a small amount

noun · CEFR B1

a very small amount of something, usually a liquid or a spice.

For teachers: a small quantity of a substance added to something else, often for flavour.

- Add a dash of salt to the soup to bring out the flavour.
- The bartender finished the cocktail with a dash of bitters and a twist of lemon peel.

### 6. car dashboard

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal

the control panel in front of the driver in a car.

For teachers: a shortened, informal term for a dashboard in a vehicle or a digital interface.

- The warning light on the dash started flashing as soon as I turned the key.
- Modern electric vehicles often feature a minimalist dash dominated by a single large touchscreen.

## Examples

- I made a quick dash for the bus before it pulled away.
- The chef added a dash of vinegar to the sauce to balance the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- The sudden downpour sent the wedding guests into a frantic dash toward the marquee, leaving the carefully arranged floral displays to the mercy of the elements.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.