comma

/ˈkɑmə/

/ˈkɒmə/

Other forms: commas

A comma is a punctuation mark that indicates a pause in a sentence or separates items in a list. A comma is also used before the words "and" or "but" to join two independent clauses.

Commas come in handy when you're writing a grocery list: "Buy candy, chocolate milk, Pop Tarts, and gum." You can also use a comma to set off an adverb at the beginning of a sentence: "Therefore, I refuse to ride the roller coaster." The word comma has been around since the 1500s, and in Latin in means "short phrase," from the Greek komma, "clause in a sentence," or literally, "piece which is cut off."

Definitions of comma

1. noun

   a punctuation mark (,) used to indicate the separation of elements within the grammatical structure of a sentence
   type of:

   punctuation, punctuation mark

   the marks used to clarify meaning by indicating separation of words into sentences and clauses and phrases
2. noun

   anglewing butterfly with a comma-shaped mark on the underside of each hind wing
   synonyms: Polygonia comma, comma butterfly

   type of:

   brush-footed butterfly, four-footed butterfly, nymphalid, nymphalid butterfly

   medium to large butterflies found worldwide typically having brightly colored wings and much-reduced nonfunctional forelegs carried folded on the breast