What is a hyphen in an email address

In an email address, a hyphen (-) is a special character that is used to separate words or parts of a word. It is often used to create a more readable and memorable email address.

For example, if someone's name is "John Smith", they might choose the email address "[email protected]" instead of "[email protected]". The hyphen makes it easier to read and understand the email address, and it can also make it more unique and memorable.

Hyphens are commonly used in email addresses to:

1. Separate words: As mentioned earlier, hyphens can be used to separate words in an email address, making it easier to read and understand.
2. Create a more readable address: Hyphens can be used to break up long strings of characters, making the email address more readable and easier to type.
3. Make the address more unique: By using hyphens, you can create a more unique and memorable email address that stands out from others.
4. Follow conventions: Some companies or organizations may have specific conventions for email addresses, such as using hyphens to separate words or to indicate a specific role or department.

It's worth noting that hyphens are not required in email addresses, and many people use underscores (_) or other special characters to separate words. However, hyphens are a common and widely accepted practice in email addresses.