hyponym

[ hahy-puh-nim ]

noun

, Linguistics.

1. a term that denotes a subcategory of a more general class: Compare superordinate ( def 4 ).

   “Chair” and “table” are hyponyms of “furniture.”

hyponym

/ ˈhaɪpəʊnɪm; haɪˈpɒnəmɪ /

noun

1. See superordinate, antonym, synonym
   a word whose meaning is included in that of another word Compare superordinate synonym antonym

   `scarlet', `vermilion', and `crimson' are hyponyms of `red'

Derived Forms

• hyponymy, noun

Other Words From

• hy·pon·y·mous [hahy-, pon, -, uh, -m, uh, s], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyponym¹

1960–65; hyp- + -onym, or as back formation from hyponymy

Word History and Origins

Origin of hyponym¹

C20: from hypo- + Greek onoma name