Slash vs. Dash: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
Slash (/) is a punctuation mark used to denote division, alternatives, or fractions, whereas Dash (—) is used to indicate range, pause, or emphasis in text.
Key Differences
A slash, also known as a forward slash, is a punctuation mark used to represent alternatives, fractions, or divisions. It's common in URLs and dates. A dash, specifically an em dash, is used in writing to create a strong break, indicate ranges, or add emphasis. It's longer than a hyphen and often used in place of commas, parentheses, or colons.
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Nov 18, 2023
In digital contexts, the slash is integral in web addresses and coding, serving as a separator. In contrast, dashes are used in prose to enhance readability, add parenthetical statements, or introduce lists. They provide a pause or emphasis that's softer than a period but stronger than a comma.
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Nov 18, 2023
Slashes are used in informal writing to denote "or" (e.g., and/or), while dashes are used to add a dramatic pause or a break in a sentence. The dash often adds a conversational tone to writing, whereas the slash is more utilitarian.
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Nov 18, 2023
The slash can also be used to indicate line breaks in poetry or songs when quoted in a text block. On the other hand, the dash is used to denote interrupted or faltering speech in dialogue, giving a sense of abruptness or hesitation.
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Nov 18, 2023
In mathematics and computing, slashes signify division or commands, showing functionality. Dashes, however, are rarely used in these contexts, remaining primarily a feature of written and printed language to aid in the expression and organization of thoughts.
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Nov 18, 2023
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Comparison Chart
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Slash and Dash Definitions
Slash
In URLs, it separates elements.
Visit our website at www.example.com/about/.
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Nov 18, 2023
Dash
Used for emphasis or to add information.
My friend—the one I told you about—is coming over.
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Nov 18, 2023
Slash
Indicates a line break in poetry or quoted lyrics.
“Twinkle, twinkle, little star,/How I wonder what you are.”
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Nov 18, 2023
Dash
Indicates interrupted or faltering speech.
“I was just going to—never mind, it’s not important.”
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Nov 18, 2023
Slash
To cut or form by cutting with forceful sweeping strokes
Slash a path through the underbrush.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Slash
To cut a slit or slits in, especially so as to reveal an underlying color
Slash a sleeve.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To break or smash by striking violently
The ship was dashed upon the rocks.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
(Sports) To swing a stick at (an opponent) in ice hockey or lacrosse, in violation of the rules.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To hurl, knock, or thrust with sudden violence
Dashed the cup against the wall.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
(Sports) To hit or propel (a ball, for instance) forcefully in a straight line.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
To cut one's way with such strokes
We slashed through the dense jungle.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To add an enlivening or altering element to
A speech dashed with humor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To affect by adding another element or ingredient to
Ice cream that was dashed with rum.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To discourage or dispirit
"This discouraging information a little dashed the child" (Charles Dickens).
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
A swift, violent blow or stroke
Knocked the books to the floor with an impatient dash of his hand.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
Branches and other residue left on a forest floor after the cutting of timber.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
(Sports) A footrace, usually less than a quarter-mile long, run at top speed from the outset.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
A swift, broad, cutting stroke made by an edged weapon or whip.
A slash of his blade just missed my ear.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
Either of two symbols, an emdash or an endash, used in writing and in printing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
A hard swift lateral strike with a hockey or lacrosse stick, usually across another player's arms or legs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
In Morse and similar codes, the long sound or signal used in combination with the dot and silent intervals to represent letters or numbers.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
(figuratively) A sharp reduction.
After the war ended, the army saw a 50% slash in their operating budget.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
(typography) Any of the following symbols: ‒ (figure dash), – (en dash), — (em dash), or ― (horizontal bar).
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
A cut or laceration, often deep, made by an edged weapon or whip.
He was bleeding from a slash across his cheek.
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Oct 19, 2023
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
A clearing in a forest, (particularly) those made by logging, fire, or other violent action.
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Dash
A small quantity of a liquid substance etc.; less than 1/8 of a teaspoon.
Add a dash of vinegar.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
The slash mark: the punctuation mark ⟨/⟩, sometimes inclusive of any mark produced by a similar slashing movement of the pen, as the backslash ⟨\⟩.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
A stand-in for a censored word, like "Devil" or "damn". (Compare deuce.)
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Slash
A piss: an act of urination.
Where's the gents? I need to take a slash.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
(intransitive) To run quickly or for a short distance.
He dashed across the field.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
(UK) slatch: a deep trough of finely-fractured culm or a circular or elliptical pocket of coal.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
(transitive) To destroy by striking (against).
He dashed the bottle against the bar and turned about to fight.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
(transitive) To throw violently.
The man was dashed from the vehicle during the accident.
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality.
To dash wine with water
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Slash
(ice hockey) To strike swiftly and laterally with a hockey stick, usually across another player's arms or legs.
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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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
(transitive) To dishearten; to sadden.
Her thoughts were dashed to melancholy.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To complete hastily.
He dashed down his eggs.
She dashed off her homework.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To throw with violence or haste; to cause to strike violently or hastily; - often used with against.
If you dash a stone against a stone in the botton of the water, it maketh a sound.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To break, as by throwing or by collision; to shatter; to crust; to frustrate; to ruin.
Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.
A brave vessel, . . . Dashed all to pieces.
To perplex and dashMaturest counsels.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To put to shame; to confound; to confuse; to abash; to depress.
Dash the proud gamester in his gilded car.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To throw in or on in a rapid, careless manner; to mix, reduce, or adulterate, by throwing in something of an inferior quality; to overspread partially; to bespatter; to touch here and there; as, to dash wine with water; to dash paint upon a picture.
I take care to dash the character with such particular circumstance as may prevent ill-natured applications.
The very source and fount of dayIs dashed with wandering isles of night.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To form or sketch rapidly or carelessly; to execute rapidly, or with careless haste; - with off; as, to dash off a review or sermon.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To erase by a stroke; to strike out; knock out; - with out; as, to dash out a word.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
To rush with violence; to move impetuously; to strike violently; as, the waves dash upon rocks.
[He] dashed through thick and thin.
On each hand the gushing waters play,And down the rough cascade all dashing fall.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
(North America) Used to list alternatives.
Alternatives can be marked by the slash/stroke/solidus punctuation mark, a tall, right-slanting oblique line.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
A sudden check; abashment; frustration; ruin; as, his hopes received a dash.
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Dash
A slight admixture, infusion, or adulteration; a partial overspreading; as, wine with a dash of water; red with a dash of purple.
Innocence when it has in it a dash of folly.
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Dash
A rapid movement, esp. one of short duration; a quick stroke or blow; a sudden onset or rush; as, a bold dash at the enemy; a dash of rain.
She takes upon her bravely at first dash.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
A vain show; a blustering parade; a flourish; as, to make or cut a great dash.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
A mark or line [-], in writing or printing, denoting a sudden break, stop, or transition in a sentence, or an abrupt change in its construction, a long or significant pause, or an unexpected or epigrammatic turn of sentiment. Dashes are also sometimes used instead of marks or parenthesis.
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
A large slit in the material of any garment, made to show the lining through the openings.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
The sign of staccato, a small mark [ ] denoting that the note over which it is placed is to be performed in a short, distinct manner.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
A short, spirited effort or trial of speed upon a race course; - used in horse racing, when a single trial constitutes the race.
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Oct 19, 2023
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.
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
Distinctive and stylish elegance;
He wooed her with the confident dash of a cavalry officer
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
An open tract of land in a forest that is strewn with debris from logging (or fire or wind)
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
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
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
Beat severely with a whip or rod;
The teacher often flogged the students
The children were severely trounced
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Oct 19, 2023
Dash
Hurl or thrust violently;
He dashed the plate against the wall
Waves were dashing against the rock
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
Move or stir about violently;
The feverish patient thrashed around in his bed
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Oct 19, 2023
Slash
A punctuation mark used to indicate division or separation.
The date was written as 11/12/2023.
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Nov 18, 2023
Slash
Used to denote alternatives or choices.
Please choose between a full-time/part-time position.
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Nov 18, 2023
Slash
Represents a fraction in mathematics.
The recipe requires 1/2 cup of sugar.
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Nov 18, 2023
Dash
A punctuation mark used to indicate a range or span.
The meeting is scheduled from 3:00—4:00 PM.
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Nov 18, 2023
Dash
Creates a pause or break in a sentence.
He was planning to go—until he saw the weather.
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Nov 18, 2023
Dash
Separates additional thoughts or asides.
She’s a great singer—really, one of the best.
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Nov 18, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is a dash?
A dash is a longer punctuation mark (—) used for emphasis, range, or interruption.
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Nov 18, 2023
What is a slash?
A slash is a punctuation mark (/) used for division, alternatives, or fractions.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is a dash different from a hyphen?
Yes, a dash is longer and used differently than a hyphen.
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Nov 18, 2023
When is a slash used in writing?
It’s used for dates, fractions, and to denote alternatives.
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Nov 18, 2023
How does a dash enhance readability?
It creates pauses or emphasis, adding conversational tone.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can a slash be used in formal writing?
Yes, but usually in specific contexts like dates or fractions.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can dashes replace other punctuation?
Yes, like commas or parentheses for added emphasis.
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Nov 18, 2023
How do you use a dash in a sentence?
To introduce a range, break, or additional information.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is the slash used in computer programming?
Yes, for commands and comments in code.
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Nov 18, 2023
How does a dash affect sentence structure?
It can separate or emphasize parts of a sentence.
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Can slashes be used in poetry?
Yes, to indicate line breaks in quoted poetry.
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Nov 18, 2023
What’s the role of a slash in URLs?
It separates elements in web addresses.
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Nov 18, 2023
Do dashes have different lengths?
Yes, em dash (—) and en dash (–) are two types.
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Nov 18, 2023
Can dashes be overused in writing?
Yes, overuse can make text choppy or hard to read.
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Nov 18, 2023
Is it appropriate to use slashes in academic writing?
Generally, yes, but sparingly and in proper contexts.
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Nov 18, 2023
What is the role of a dash in dialogue?
To show interrupted or faltering speech.
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Nov 18, 2023
Are there rules for slash usage?
Yes, depending on context, like URLs or fractions.
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Nov 18, 2023
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Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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