long dash
Lengthy horizontal stroke
A long dash is a typographical mark used to set off parenthetical elements, indicate breaks in thought, or show interrupted speech.
In formal typography, this usually means the em dash (—), roughly the width of the letter M.
She arrived—finally—at noon.
The term distinguishes it from shorter dashes like the hyphen or en dash.
- punctuationWritten clarity symbols
- dramatic pauseIntentional silence for emphasis
- pauseTemporary cessation of activity
- breakInterrupt continuity
- line breakText continuation below
interruption · typeset · horizontal · line · stroke · rule · minus · grammar · elongated · stretch · sprint · run · race · bolt · bolt of lightning · hurry · rush · quick