hyponym

IPA/ˈhaɪpənɪm/
IPA/ˈhaɪpənɪm/

hyponym — noun

  • hyponymsingular
  • hyponymsplural

1. in language study, a more exact word that belongs under a broader category word

1.nounC2
Definition

in language study, a more exact word that belongs under a broader category word

Example

In class, Sahil said tulip is a hyponym of flower.

X is a hyponym of Y

Nora drew three hyponyms under bird: eagle, sparrow, and owl.

list narrower words under a broad category

Common collocations
  • choose a hyponym
  • identify the hyponym
  • hyponym of
  • hyponym-hypernym relation
Synonyms
  • subordinate term

    a more technical alternative often used in formal semantics

  • specific word

    a plain-English explanation rather than a strict linguistics label

Antonyms
  • hypernym

    the broader category word that includes the hyponym

Grammar Patterns

a hyponym of X

X is a hyponym of Y

Usage Note

Usually appears in linguistics or vocabulary lessons. It names the narrower member word inside a broader class, so it is the opposite of hypernym.

Common Mistakes

Fruit is a hyponym of apple.
Apple is a hyponym of fruit.
A hyponym is the smaller, more specific word inside the larger category.

Word family

  • hyponymic
    adjectiveC2
  • hyponymy
    nounC2

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Hyponym is the standard linguistics label for a narrower word that belongs inside a broader class. Subordinate term means almost the same thing, but it sounds more academic and appears more often in formal semantics writing than in ordinary teaching. Specific word is easier for non-specialists and works well when a teacher simply wants students to replace a broad label with something more exact. For example, tulip is a hyponym or subordinate term under flower, while specific word is what a teacher might say when asking a learner to improve a sentence. In technical discussion, hyponym is still the most precise choice.

hyponym ↗subordinate termspecific word

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • identify the hyponym
  • hyponym-hypernym pair
  • more specific hyponym

Prepositions

  • hyponym of

Etymology

Ancient GreekEnglish

Hyponym comes from Greek parts meaning 'under' and 'name'. Modern linguistics uses it for a word that sits below a broader category word, such as tulip under flower.