Hierarchy Tree
Broader categories (hypernyms)
More specific words (hyponyms)
Understanding Word Hierarchy
- ↑ Hypernyms (blue) are broader categories — “shovel” is a type of these.
- ↓ Hyponyms (purple) are more specific — these are types of “shovel”.
- → 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 "shovel" belong to?
"Shovel" is a kind of dig, machine, turn over, cut into, hand tool, fire iron, containerful, delve. These are its hypernyms — broader categories that "shovel" falls under according to WordNet.
What are more specific types of "shovel"?
More specific types of "shovel" (hyponyms) include: scoop, backhoe, steam shovel, scoop shovel, posthole digger, post-hole digger, and more. These are all subtypes that fall under the category of "shovel".
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.