![]() ![]() Although we may be able to easily glean the etymology of our newly minted term “start-up” through this definition, we can see the distinction. This makes sense, as Oxford and Merriam tend to keep to more traditional definitions, while tends to be quicker to adapt to the flexibility of more modern conventions.Īll of this is not to get confused with the other definition: “the act or an instance of setting in operation or motion”. Oxford Dictionary defines the term similarly, using a hyphen, while defines it without the hyphen. Some other examples include:Īccording to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, a start-up is “a fledgling business enterprise,” which basically means a new business entity that is immature in its growth. ![]() It’s as if the idea grows to the point of being able to stand on its own, finally recognizable without the hyphen. Perhaps we just get lazy, or perhaps that word begins to take on a new life of its own to the point that we, as a collective, start to unconsciously and consciously give it the weight of its own standalone concept and therefore, its own word. In fact, at least 1600 words have lost their hyphen over time. ![]() This seems to follow with the convention of dropping the hyphen over time. You’ll see that “startup” just recently surpassed “start-up” in usage frequency. This graph brings up a few interesting points. Don’t believe us? Here’s a look at Google Books Ngram Viewer for “startup, start-up, and start up”: So new in fact, that it hardly got any usage until the 1940s. There’s more to the story…īefore we dive in, it’s helpful to remember language evolves over time, and the term “startup”/ “start-up” is relatively new to the scene. The general consensus is, however, incorrect that “start-up” tends to get more usage as a noun, and “startup” tends to get more usage as a verb in the context of budding businesses. Stay consistent with your use, but you can get away with either. The short answer to this question is: both are acceptable. ![]()
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