+ compareTo(wordtoCompare : Word) : Integer Java

Currently I am working on a project in which I have to use this UML diagram to create and additional class I understand everything but I am baffled by the last line.

compareTo(wordToCompare : Word) : Integer

Since Word is the name of the class how would I insert an argument? I tried inputting an Object as an argument but it says:

Object is an incompatible type with Word.

I researched if Word was a non primitive data-type but could not find any information. I am rather inexperienced and quite confused if anyone could lend some assistance I would be greatly appreciative.

Word class UML
-wordCharacters : String
-count : integer
+ CONSTRUCTOR (word : String) 
+ getWord() : String 
+ getCount() : Integer 
+ incrementCount() : void 
+ toString() : String 
+ equals(wordtoCompare : Object) : Boolean 
+ compareTo(wordtoCompare : Word) : Integer

@Override
public boolean equals(Object wordtoCompare) {
    boolean flag = false;
    String currentWord = wordtoCompare.getClass().getName();

    this.compareTo(wordtoCompare);

    return flag;
}

public Integer compareTo(Word wordtoCompare) {

    return 0;
}

Solution

you are overriding the equals method and it should look a bit like this. You need to check if the Object wordtoCompare is of the type Word or if it´s the current object. After you did check if it´s a type or subtype of Word you can cast the wordtoCompare to an actuall Word object and do your stuff with it.

@Override
public boolean equals(Object wordtoCompare) {
    boolean flag = false;
    if(wordtoCompare == this) return true;
    if(!(wordtoCompare instanceof Word)) return false;
    Word word = (Word)wordtoCompare;

    this.compareTo(word);
    // Whatever you do with your flag
    return flag;
}