Underscore vs. Hyphen: What's the Difference?
Edited by Harlon Moss || By Janet White || Updated on October 8, 2023
An underscore (_) is a horizontal line used to separate or emphasize; a hyphen (-) connects words or parts of words.
Key Differences
The underscore (_) and hyphen (-) are typographic symbols used for different purposes in written language. An underscore is a horizontal line that typically appears beneath text and is often used in computing to represent spaces in file names and web addresses, allowing text to be unbroken. On the other hand, a hyphen is primarily used in English grammar to connect words or parts of words, such as compound adjectives and compound words, to avoid ambiguity.
Underscore, by being a symbol that separates or emphasizes content, often sees utilization in programming and web development. It helps create clear, machine-readable strings and identifiers where spaces are not allowed. In contrast, the hyphen, with its grammatical function, aims to make human reading clearer and more understandable by showing the connection or relation between words, ensuring coherence and smooth reading flow.
Even within informal contexts, underscore and hyphen maintain their distinct uses. Underscores are frequent in email addresses and usernames, where spaces may lead to errors or misconceptions. Meanwhile, hyphens serve in informal writing to unite words, creating understandable and well-formed structures, like in compound nouns, ensuring clarity and correct interpretation.
Underscores are also employed to create visual separation in written text, without changing the meaning, often acting as a substitute for spaces or as a tool for emphasis in handwritten texts. Hyphens have an established role in dividing words at the end of a line of text, aiding in text alignment and avoiding awkward text breaks, thereby enhancing the readability of the text.
To summarize, while underscore and hyphen might seem similar, underscore serves primarily to separate or emphasize content in computing and written text, and hyphen connects words or parts of words to create coherent and clear human-readable text.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Usage
To separate or emphasize content, often in place of spaces in computing.
To connect words or parts of words in English grammar.
Context of Use
Frequently used in programming, web addresses, and usernames.
Common in English writing to form compound words and adjectives.
Function in Text
Creates visual separation or emphasis without changing meaning.
Enhances readability by connecting related words.
Role in Informal Contexts
Used in email addresses and usernames where spaces are not allowed.
Unites words in informal writing, ensuring clarity.
Text Alignment
Not typically used for dividing words or influencing text alignment.
Used to divide words at the end of a line for better alignment.
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Underscore and Hyphen Definitions
Underscore
A horizontal line typically appearing beneath text.
Usernames sometimes contain underscores to separate words, like john_doe.
Hyphen
Enhances readability by connecting related words and dividing words at line ends.
Hyphens are used to break words at the end of a line to maintain text alignment.
Underscore
A symbol used to separate or emphasize text.
In programming, an underscore is often used to represent a space.
Hyphen
A punctuation mark used to connect words or parts of words.
A well-placed hyphen can clarify meaning, as in “re-sign” versus “resign.”
Underscore
Used as a substitute for spaces in certain contexts.
In email addresses, underscores are common: jane_doe@email.com.
Hyphen
Serves to avoid ambiguity in written language.
The hyphen in “man-eating shark” clarifies that it’s a shark that eats humans.
Underscore
Utilized in computing, representing spaces in file names.
The file name “my_document” uses an underscore to separate the words.
Hyphen
Creates coherent and clear human-readable text by showing relation between words.
The hyphen in “long-term plan” indicates the lasting nature of the plan.
Underscore
Employed to create visual separation in written text without altering meaning.
Underscores are used in handwritten texts for emphasis: “This is very important.”
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.
Underscore
To underline
Underscored the incorrect answers in red ink.
Hyphen
To hyphenate.
Underscore
To put emphasis on; stress
In a press release, the leaders underscored their commitment to continued negotiations.
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.
Underscore
To cause to appear important or deserving of attention
The energy crisis underscored the need to increase fuel efficiency.
Hyphen
(figuratively) Something that links two more consequential things.
Underscore
A line drawn under writing or text to indicate emphasis or italic type.
Hyphen
An enclosed walkway or passage that connects two buildings.
Underscore
An underline; a line drawn or printed beneath text; the character _.
Hyphen
Someone who belongs to a marginalized subgroup, and can therefore described by a hyphenated term, such as "German-American", "female-academic", etc.
Underscore
(music) A piece of background music.
Hyphen
To separate or punctuate with a hyphen; to hyphenate.
Underscore
To underline; to mark a line beneath text.
Hyphen
Used to emphasize the coordinating function usually indicated by the punctuation "-".
Underscore
To emphasize or draw attention to.
I wish to underscore the importance of proper formatting.
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.
Underscore
To draw a mark or line under; to underline.
Hyphen
To connect with, or separate by, a hyphen, as two words or the parts of a word.
Underscore
A line drawn underneath (especially under written matter)
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
Underscore
Give extra weight to (a communication);
Her gesture emphasized her words
Hyphen
Divide or connect with a hyphen;
Hyphenate these words and names
Underscore
Draw a line or lines underneath to call attention to
Hyphen
Utilized to form compound words and compound adjectives.
The term “state-of-the-art” employs hyphens to link the words together.
FAQs
Are underscores common in usernames and email addresses?
Yes, underscores are commonly used in usernames and email addresses where spaces are not allowed.
Is an underscore used to separate or emphasize content?
Yes, an underscore is used to separate or emphasize content, often in computing.
Does a hyphen connect words or parts of words?
Yes, a hyphen is used in English grammar to connect words or parts of words.
Are hyphens used to avoid ambiguity in written language?
Yes, hyphens are used to avoid ambiguity by connecting related words in written language.
Is the hyphen utilized to form compound words?
Yes, hyphens are utilized to form compound words and compound adjectives.
Can hyphens be used to divide words at the end of a line?
Yes, hyphens can be used to divide words at the end of a line for better text alignment.
Do hyphens connect related words to create clear text?
Yes, hyphens connect related words to create coherent and clear human-readable text.
Can underscores be used in file names to represent spaces?
Yes, underscores are often used in file names in computing to represent spaces.
Do underscores appear beneath the text?
Yes, underscores typically appear as a horizontal line beneath the text.
Is an underscore a symbol used in programming?
Yes, an underscore is a frequently used symbol in programming to represent a space.
Are underscores used in web addresses?
Yes, underscores are often used in web addresses to represent spaces.
Can an underscore be used as a substitute for spaces?
Yes, underscores are used as substitutes for spaces in certain contexts like web addresses and file names.
Do hyphens enhance the readability of text?
Yes, hyphens connect related words and divide words at line ends to enhance readability.
Can underscores create visual separation in written text?
Yes, underscores can create visual separation in written text without changing the meaning.
Can hyphens be used to form compound adjectives?
Yes, hyphens can be used to form compound adjectives, like in “well-intentioned.”
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.
