Hierarchy Tree
Broader categories (hypernyms)
Understanding Word Hierarchy
- ↑ Hypernyms (blue) are broader categories — “guile” is a type of these.
- ↓ Hyponyms (purple) are more specific — these are types of “guile”.
- → Click any word to explore its own hierarchy and navigate the vocabulary tree.
- → Use in writing — swap a vague word for a precise hyponym to make your writing more specific.
Frequently Asked Questions
What category does "guile" belong to?
"Guile" is a kind of deception, deceit, perspicacity, astuteness, dissimulation, shrewdness, dissembling, disingenuousness, perspicaciousness. These are its hypernyms — broader categories that "guile" falls under according to WordNet.
What are more specific types of "guile"?
More specific types of "guile" (hyponyms) include: fraud, hoax, dupery, put-on, jugglery, fraudulence. These are all subtypes that fall under the category of "guile".
What is a hypernym?
A hypernym is a word whose meaning includes the meaning of a more specific word. For example, "vehicle" is a hypernym of "car" — every car is a vehicle, but not every vehicle is a car.
What is a hyponym?
A hyponym is a word that is more specific than a general term. For example, "oak" and "pine" are hyponyms of "tree". Understanding hyponyms helps you choose more precise language in writing.