What term is used for a word that has a similar meaning to another word?

The term that describes a word that has a similar meaning to another word is synonym. Synonyms are often interchangeable in certain contexts, allowing for varied expression without changing the underlying meaning. For example, "happy" and "joyful" are synonyms because they convey similar emotions. Recognizing synonyms is essential for enhancing vocabulary and understanding nuances in language, which can improve both writing and comprehension skills.

In contrast, antonyms refer to words with opposite meanings, hypernyms are more general terms that encompass a broader category (like "fruit" for "apple" or "banana"), and homonyms are words that sound alike or are spelled alike but have different meanings, such as "bat" (the flying mammal) and "bat" (the sports equipment). Understanding these distinctions further highlights the role of synonyms in vocabulary development.