Hierarchy Tree
Broader categories (hypernyms)
More specific words (hyponyms)
Understanding Word Hierarchy
- ↑ Hypernyms (blue) are broader categories — “reading” is a type of these.
- ↓ Hyponyms (purple) are more specific — these are types of “reading”.
- → 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 "reading" belong to?
"Reading" is a kind of interpretation, measure, representation, datum, city, mensuration, measurement, speaking, public speaking, data point. These are its hypernyms — broader categories that "reading" falls under according to WordNet.
What are more specific types of "reading"?
More specific types of "reading" (hyponyms) include: skim, exegesis, perusing, time, skimming, reinterpretation, and more. These are all subtypes that fall under the category of "reading".
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.