em dash

== English == === Alternative forms === emdash, em-dash, m dash === Etymology === Named for its width, which is equal to the width of the letter m or M, or approximately twice the width of an en dash. === Pronunciation === === Noun === em dash (plural em dashes) (typography) The symbol (—) (used to demarcate a parenthetical thought or to indicate a break, or for emphasis); a one-em or long dash. Synonyms: em rule, m-rule, mutton dash ==== Usage notes ==== In recent usage, some style guides (especially in the UK and Canada) have proscribed the parenthetical em dash (—), instead mandating the use of a spaced en dash (–),[dead link][dead link] though this is not universally accepted. For example: The room – dark and depressing – was at the end of the corridor. Rather than: The room—dark and depressing—was at the end of the corridor. These symbols are often identical in appearance and can be used as quotation dashes: — (em dash) ― (horizontal bar) ==== Related terms ==== en dash hyphen rule ==== Translations ==== === References === === Anagrams === Hameds, mashed, shamed