How to get all the hyponyms of a word/synset in python nltk and wordnet?

Question

I have a list of all the nouns in WordNet. I want to remove all the nouns that are not vehicles. How do I do it? Below is the pseudo-code I want to make, but I do not know how to make it work:

for word in wordlist:
  if not "vehicle" in wn.synsets(word):
    wordlist.remove(word)

Pinfold

Answer 1

from nltk.corpus import wordnet as wn
vehicle = wn.synset('vehicle.n.01')
typesOfVehicles = list(set([w for s in vehicle.closure(lambda s:s.hyponyms()) for w in s.lemma_names()]))

This will give you all the unique words from every synset that is a hyponym of the noun "vehicle" (1st sense).

Aldo

But when i try to narrow it further, i get this error Traceback (most recent call last): File "D:...\test.py", line 10, in <module> if "car" in word: TypeError: argument of type 'Synset' is not iterable – Pinfold

@Jared, very elegant answer but there's a gotcha when the Synset.closure(lambda s:s.hyponyms() goes to an infinite loop. Try wn.synset('restrain.v.01').closure(lambda s:s.hyponyms() – Nims

I get TypeError: 'method' object is not iterable with this method. – Zobe

@StefanD This is a relatively old answer and probably does not work with the the newer versions of NLTK. If you found an alternative solution that works in newer versions, post an answer or feel free to update this answer! – Aldo

User Easton commented in an answer that lemma_names is a method and thus parentheses should be added. Don't know if that's correct but I'm leaving it here for review by those familiar with this module. – Hesterhesther

Answer 2

def get_hyponyms(synset):
    hyponyms = set()
    for hyponym in synset.hyponyms():
        hyponyms |= set(get_hyponyms(hyponym))
    return hyponyms | set(synset.hyponyms())

Zobe

That works great with NLTK 3.0.3, unlike jared' answer (TypeError: 'method' object is not iterable), thanks! – Jacobin

Answer 3

To get all the hyponyms of a word/synset in python+nltk+wordnet, tested with Python 3.11.7 and nltk==3.8.1 (pip install nltk) on Win10:

import nltk
from nltk.corpus import wordnet as wn

nltk.download('wordnet')
nltk.download('omw-1.4') # Linux

# Recursively find all hyponyms of a given synset
def get_vehicle_words(synset):
    vehicle_words = set()
    # Add the lemmas of the current synset to the set
    for lemma in synset.lemmas():
        vehicle_words.add(lemma.name().replace('_', ' '))
    # Recursively add the lemmas of the hyponyms
    for hyponym in synset.hyponyms():
        vehicle_words.update(get_vehicle_words(hyponym))
    return vehicle_words

# Start with a list of synsets that correspond to vehicles
initial_vehicle_synsets = [
    wn.synset('vehicle.n.01')
]

# Use a set to avoid duplicates
all_vehicle_words = set()
for synset in initial_vehicle_synsets:
    all_vehicle_words.update(get_vehicle_words(synset))

all_vehicle_words_list = sorted(all_vehicle_words)
print(all_vehicle_words_list)
print(len(all_vehicle_words_list))

Outputs:

['4WD', 'ABM', 'APC', 'Caterpillar', 'Conestoga', 'Conestoga wagon', 'Dodgem', 'Exocet', 'Hum-Vee', 'Humvee', 'ICBM', 'Indiaman', 'LEM', 'Liberty ship', 'MANPAD', 'Mackinaw boat', 'Minuteman', 'Model T', 'Norfolk wherry', 'PT boat', 'Pullman', 'Pullman car', 'R.V.', 'RV', 'S.U.V.', 'SAM', 'SUV', 'Sno-cat', 'Stanley Steamer', 'Stinger', 'U-boat', 'V-1', 'abandoned ship', 'aerial ladder truck', 'aeroplane', 'air-to-air missile', 'air-to-ground missile', 'air-to-surface missile', 'airbus', 'aircraft', 'aircraft carrier', 'airliner', 'airplane', 'airship', 'all-terrain bike', 'ambulance', 'amphibian', 'amphibious aircraft', 'amphibious vehicle', 'angledozer', 'antiballistic missile', 'applecart', 'ark', 'armored car', 'armored combat vehicle', 'armored personnel carrier', 'armored vehicle', 'armoured car', 'armoured combat vehicle', 'armoured personnel carrier', 'armoured vehicle', 'army tank', 'articulated lorry', 'assault gun', 'attack aircraft', 'attack aircraft carrier', 'attack submarine', 'auto', 'autogiro', 'autogyro', 'automobile', 'automotive vehicle', 'auxiliary research submarine', 'baby buggy', 'baby carriage', 'baggage car', 'ballistic capsule', 'ballistic missile', 'balloon', 'banana boat', 'bandwagon', 'bareboat', 'barge', 'bark', 'barouche', 'barque', 'barrage balloon', 'barrow', 'bassinet', 'battle cruiser', 'battleship', 'battlewagon', 'beach buggy', 'beach waggon', 'beach wagon', 'berlin', 'bicycle', 'bicycle-built-for-two', 'bike', 'biplane', 'birch bark', 'birchbark', 'birchbark canoe', 'black Maria', 'blimp', 'blockade-runner', 'bloodmobile', 'boat', 'bob', 'bobsled', 'bobsleigh', 'bogey', 'bogie', 'bogy', 'bomber', 'boneshaker', 'bookmobile', 'bottom', 'boxcar', 'brig', 'brigantine', 'brilliant pebble', 'brougham', 'buckboard', 'buffet car', 'buggy', 'bulldozer', 'bumboat', 'bumper car', 'bus', 'buzz bomb', 'cab', 'cabin car', 'cabin cruiser', 'cabin liner', 'caboose', 'cabriolet', 'caisson', 'camion', 'camper', 'camper trailer', 'camping bus', 'canal boat', 'canoe', 'capital ship', 'capsule', 'car', 'car transporter', 'car-ferry', 'carack', 'caravan', 'cargo helicopter', 'cargo liner', 'cargo ship', 'cargo vessel', 'caroche', 'carrack', 'carriage', 'carrier', 'cart', 'cat', 'catamaran', 'catboat', 'cattle boat', 'cattle car', 'cattleship', 'chair car', 'chaise', 'chariot', 'choo-choo', 'chopper', 'chuck wagon', 'clarence', 'clipper', 'clipper ship', 'club car', 'coach', 'coach-and-four', 'coal car', 'coaster wagon', 'cockleshell', 'combat ship', 'compact', 'compact car', 'container ship', 'container vessel', 'containership', 'convertible', 'coracle', 'corsair', 'corvette', 'coupe', 'covered wagon', 'craft', 'cruise liner', 'cruise missile', 'cruise ship', 'cruiser', 'cutter', 'cycle', 'cycle rickshaw', 'dandy', 'delivery truck', 'delivery van', 'delta wing', 'derelict', 'destroyer', 'destroyer escort', 'dhow', 'diesel locomotive', 'diesel-electric', 'diesel-electric locomotive', 'diesel-hydraulic', 'diesel-hydraulic locomotive', 'diner', 'dinghy', 'dining car', 'dining compartment', 'dinkey', 'dinky', 'dirigible', 'dirt bike', 'dive bomber', 'dog sled', 'dog sleigh', 'dogcart', 'dogsled', 'donkey cart', 'donkey engine', 'doodlebug', 'dory', 'double-prop', 'double-propeller plane', 'dozer', 'dragger', 'drawing-room car', 'dray', 'dreadnaught', 'dreadnought', 'dredger', 'drone', 'droshky', 'drosky', 'dugout', 'dugout canoe', 'dump truck', 'dumpcart', 'dumper', 'dune buggy', 'dustcart', 'eggbeater', 'electric', 'electric automobile', 'electric car', 'electric locomotive', 'engine', 'equipage', 'estate car', 'express luxury liner', 'factory ship', 'fan-jet', 'fanjet', 'felucca', 'ferry', 'ferryboat', 'fighter', 'fighter aircraft', 'finisher', 'fire engine', 'fire truck', 'fireboat', 'fishing boat', 'fishing smack', 'fishing vessel', 'flagship', 'flat', 'flatbed', 'flatboat', 'flatcar', 'flattop', 'fleet ballistic missile submarine', 'floatplane', 'flying boat', 'flying bomb', 'fore-and-after', 'forklift', 'four-in-hand', 'four-wheel drive', 'four-wheeler', 'freight car', 'freighter', 'frigate', 'funny wagon', 'galleon', 'galley', 'garbage truck', 'garden cart', 'gas guzzler', 'gas-turbine ship', 'gharry', 'gig', 'glider', 'go-cart', 'go-kart', 'golf cart', 'golfcart', 'gondola', 'gondola car', 'ground-effect machine', 'guard boat', 'guard ship', "guard's van", 'guided missile', 'guided missile cruiser', 'guided missile destroyer', 'guided missile frigate', 'gunboat', 'gypsy cab', 'gyroplane', 'hack', 'hackney', 'hackney carriage', 'hackney coach', 'half track', 'hand truck', 'handcar', 'handcart', 'hang glider', 'hangar queen', 'hansom', 'hansom cab', 'hardtop', 'hatchback', 'heap', 'hearse', 'heat-seeking missile', 'heavier-than-air craft', 'helicopter', 'hermaphrodite brig', 'horse cart', 'horse-cart', 'horse-drawn vehicle', 'horsecar', 'horseless carriage', 'hospital ship', 'hot rod', 'hot-air balloon', 'hot-rod', 'house trailer', 'houseboat', 'hovercraft', 'hoy', 'hulk', 'hydrofoil', 'hydroplane', 'ice wagon', 'ice yacht', 'ice-wagon', 'iceboat', 'icebreaker', 'interceptor', 'intercontinental ballistic missile', 'iron horse', 'ironclad', 'jalopy', 'jaunting car', 'jaunty car', 'jeep', 'jet', 'jet plane', 'jet-propelled plane', 'jetliner', 'jinrikisha', 'jolly', 'jolly boat', 'jumbo jet', 'jumbojet', 'junk', 'kamikaze', 'kayak', 'keelboat', 'ketch', 'kite balloon', 'knockabout', 'ladder truck', 'landau', 'lander', 'landing craft', 'landrover', 'launch', 'laundry cart', 'laundry truck', 'lawn cart', 'lifeboat', 'lighter', 'lighter-than-air craft', 'lightship', 'limber', 'limo', 'limousine', 'liner', 'loaner', 'locomotive', 'locomotive engine', 'longboat', 'lorry', 'lounge car', 'luge', 'luggage van', 'lugger', 'lunar excursion module', 'lunar module', 'luxury liner', 'machine', 'mackinaw', 'mail boat', 'mail car', 'mailboat', 'man-of-war', 'manufactured home', 'marsh buggy', 'merchant ship', 'merchantman', 'meteorological balloon', 'military plane', 'military vehicle', 'milk float', 'milk wagon', 'milkwagon', 'minelayer', 'minesweeper', 'minibike', 'minicab', 'minicar', 'minivan', 'missile', 'mobile home', 'monocycle', 'monoplane', 'moped', 'mosquito boat', 'mosquito craft', 'motor home', 'motor scooter', 'motor torpedo boat', 'motor vehicle', 'motorbike', 'motorboat', 'motorcar', 'motorcycle', 'motortruck', 'mountain bike', 'moving van', 'multiengine airplane', 'multiengine plane', 'multistage rocket', 'narrow boat', 'narrow-body', 'narrow-body aircraft', 'narrowboat', 'narrowbody aircraft', 'nautilus', 'nonsmoker', 'nonsmoking car', 'nuclear submarine', 'nuclear-powered ship', 'nuclear-powered submarine', 'ocean liner', 'off-roader', 'oil tanker', 'oiler', 'ordinary', 'ordinary bicycle', 'ornithopter', 'orthopter', 'outboard', 'outboard motorboat', 'outrigger canoe', 'oxcart', 'pace car', 'packet', 'packet boat', 'paddle steamer', 'paddle-wheeler', 'paddy wagon', 'palace car', 'panda car', 'panel truck', 'pantechnicon', 'panzer', 'parlor car', 'parlour car', 'passenger car', 'passenger ship', 'passenger van', 'pastry cart', 'patrol boat', 'patrol car', 'patrol ship', 'patrol wagon', 'pedicab', 'perambulator', 'personnel carrier', 'phaeton', 'picket', 'picket boat', 'picket ship', 'pickup', 'pickup truck', 'pigboat', 'pilot balloon', 'pilot boat', 'pilot engine', 'pilotless aircraft', 'pinnace', 'pirate', 'pirate ship', 'pirogue', 'plane', 'pleasure boat', 'pleasure craft', 'pocket battleship', 'police boat', 'police car', 'police cruiser', 'police van', 'police wagon', 'pontoon', 'pontoon plane', 'pony cart', 'ponycart', 'post chaise', 'powerboat', 'prairie schooner', 'prairie wagon', 'pram', 'privateer', 'projectile', 'propeller plane', 'propjet', 'prowl car', 'pung', 'punt', 'push-bike', 'pushcart', 'pushchair', 'pusher', 'race car', 'raceabout', 'racer', 'racing boat', 'racing car', 'racing gig', 'racing shell', 'racing skiff', 'racing yacht', 'radio-controlled aircraft', 'railcar', 'railroad car', 'railway car', 'railway locomotive', 'reconnaissance plane', 'reconnaissance vehicle', 'recreational vehicle', 'refrigerator car', 'remise', 'research rocket', 'ricksha', 'rickshaw', 'rig', 'rigger', 'river boat', 'road roller', 'roadster', 'robot bomb', 'rocket', 'rolling stock', 'rowboat', 'rowing boat', 'runabout', 'safety bicycle', 'safety bike', 'sailboat', 'sailing boat', 'sailing ship', 'sailing vessel', 'sailing warship', 'sailplane', 'saloon', 'sampan', 'sausage', 'sausage balloon', 'school ship', 'schooner', 'scooter', 'scout car', 'scow', 'scrambler', 'scull', 'sea boat', 'sea scooter', 'seaplane', 'secondhand car', 'sedan', 'self-propelled vehicle', 'semi', 'serving cart', 'sharpie', 'sharpshooter', 'shay', 'shell', 'ship', 'ship of the line', "ship's boat", 'shipwreck', 'shooting brake', 'shopping cart', 'showboat', 'shrimper', 'shunter', 'shuttle helicopter', 'side-wheeler', 'sidewinder', 'single prop', 'single shell', 'single-propeller plane', 'single-rotor helicopter', 'sister ship', 'skateboard', 'ski-plane', 'skibob', 'skidder', 'skiff', 'skyhook', 'slave ship', 'sled', 'sledge', 'sleeper', 'sleeping car', 'sleigh', 'slip carriage', 'slip coach', 'sloop', 'sloop of war', 'smack', 'small boat', 'small ship', 'smoker', 'smoking car', 'smoking carriage', 'smoking compartment', 'snowmobile', 'snowplough', 'snowplow', 'sound truck', 'sounding rocket', 'space capsule', 'space probe', 'space shuttle', 'space vehicle', 'spacecraft', 'spaceship', 'speedboat', 'sport car', 'sport utility', 'sport utility vehicle', 'sports car', 'squad car', 'square-rigger', 'stage', 'stagecoach', 'stanhope', 'starship', 'station waggon', 'station wagon', 'stealth aircraft', 'stealth bomber', 'stealth fighter', 'steam locomotive', 'steamboat', 'steamer', 'steamroller', 'steamship', 'step rocket', 'sternwheeler', 'stock car', 'stockcar', 'streetcar', 'stroller', 'sub', 'subcompact', 'subcompact car', 'submarine', 'submersible', 'submersible warship', 'sulky', 'supertanker', 'supply ship', 'surface ship', 'surface-to-air missile', 'surfboat', 'surrey', 'swamp buggy', 'switch engine', 'tandem', 'tandem bicycle', 'tandem trailer', 'tank', 'tank car', 'tank destroyer', 'tank engine', 'tank locomotive', 'tank ship', 'tanker', 'tanker plane', 'taxi', 'taxicab', 'tea cart', 'tea trolley', 'tea wagon', 'teacart', 'technical', 'tender', 'test instrument vehicle', 'test rocket', 'three-decker', 'tin can', 'tip truck', 'tipper', 'tipper lorry', 'tipper truck', 'toboggan', 'torpedo boat', 'torpedo-boat destroyer', 'tourer', 'touring car', 'tow car', 'tow truck', 'towboat', 'tower', 'tracked vehicle', 'traction engine', 'tractor', 'tractor trailer', 'trail bike', 'trailer', 'trailer truck', 'training ship', 'tram', 'tramcar', 'tramp', 'tramp steamer', 'transport ship', 'transporter', 'trap', 'trawler', 'treasure ship', 'trial balloon', 'tricycle', 'trike', 'trimaran', 'trireme', 'troika', 'trolley', 'trolley car', 'troop carrier', 'troop transport', 'troopship', 'truck', 'trucking rig', 'tub-cart', 'tug', 'tugboat', 'tumbrel', 'tumbril', 'turbo-propeller plane', 'turbofan', 'turbojet', 'turboprop', 'twin-aisle airplane', 'twin-prop', 'twin-propeller-plane', 'twinjet', 'two-seater', 'unicycle', 'used-car', 'van', 'vehicle', 'velocipede', 'vessel', 'waggon', 'wagon', 'wagon-lit', 'wain', 'war vessel', 'warplane', 'warship', 'water cart', 'water scooter', 'water waggon', 'water wagon', 'watercraft', 'watering cart', 'weapons carrier', 'weather ship', 'welcome wagon', 'whaleboat', 'whaler', 'whaling ship', 'wheel', 'wheelbarrow', 'wheeled vehicle', 'wherry', 'whirlybird', 'wide-body', 'wide-body aircraft', 'widebody aircraft', 'windjammer', 'wreck', 'wrecker', 'yacht', 'yawl']
822

Jacobin