Hierarchy Tree
Broader categories (hypernyms)
More specific words (hyponyms)
Understanding Word Hierarchy
- ↑ Hypernyms (blue) are broader categories — “sloth” is a type of these.
- ↓ Hyponyms (purple) are more specific — these are types of “sloth”.
- → 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 "sloth" belong to?
"Sloth" is a kind of reluctance, hesitation, disinclination, indisposition, hesitancy, edentate, mortal sin, deadly sin. These are its hypernyms — broader categories that "sloth" falls under according to WordNet.
What are more specific types of "sloth"?
More specific types of "sloth" (hyponyms) include: unau, three-toed sloth, two-toed sloth, bradypus tridactylus, choloepus didactylus, choloepus hoffmanni, and more. These are all subtypes that fall under the category of "sloth".
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.