What does "hypernym" mean?

A superordinate word or phrase; a term whose referents form a set which includes as a subset the referents of a subordinate term—as, for example, insect (being a hypernym) for ant.

What is a synonym for "hypernym"?

Common synonyms include: superordinate, blanket term, blanket term, genus, hyperonym, meronym.

Hypernym

//ˈhaɪpɚnɪm// noun

noun ·Rare ·Advanced level

Definitions

Noun

1
A superordinate word or phrase; a term whose referents form a set which includes as a subset the referents of a subordinate term—as, for example, insect (being a hypernym) for ant.
"“Musical instrument” is a hypernym of “guitar” because a guitar is a musical instrument: a guitar belongs to a class or type of musical instruments."
2
a word that is more generic than a given word wordnet

Synonyms

All synonyms

superordinate blanket term blanket term genus hyperonym meronym

Antonyms

All antonyms

hyponym species subordinate

Example

More examples

"“Musical instrument” is a hypernym of “guitar” because a guitar is a musical instrument: a guitar belongs to a class or type of musical instruments."

Etymology

From hyper- (“over”) + -nym (“name”). From Ancient Greek roots; compare Latinate “superordinate term”.

More for "hypernym"

Synonyms Sentences Pronunciation Translate

Next best steps

Find stronger synonyms See usage examples Check pronunciation Browse writing guides

Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.