One-Word Substitution for English

 

One-Word Substitution is one of the most important topics in English for competitive exams such as SSC CGL, SSC CHSL, Banking (IBPS, SBI), Railways, Defence, and other government exams. It improves vocabulary and tests a candidate’s ability to replace a long phrase with a single precise word. Mastering this section is essential for scoring well in English comprehension and verbal ability.

What Is One-Word Substitution in English?

One-Word Substitution means expressing a lengthy idea or phrase in a single word. For example, “a person who loves mankind” can be replaced with the word philanthropist. Learning such substitutions not only strengthens vocabulary but also saves time in exams.

Why One-Word Substitution Matters in Competitive Exams

Exams like SSC, Banking, and Defence frequently include One-Word Substitution MCQs in their English section. These questions are usually of 1 mark each but can make a big difference in overall scores. Since thousands of candidates prepare, mastering 500+ most repetitive one-word substitution questions can help you attempt this section with full accuracy.

Rules & Tips to Master One-Word Substitution

• Categorize words: Learn substitutions based on topics such as professions, fears, governance, groups, science, and daily life.

• Practice daily: Revise 10 new substitutions every day to retain them effectively.

• Use flashcards & PDFs: Download 500-word, 1200-word, and 1500-word one-word substitution PDFs and practice repeatedly.

• Mock tests: Attempt topic-wise tests to evaluate your progress before SSC CGL or Bank exams.

One-Word Substitution Practice Questions with Answers

Here are some common examples:

1. A person who speaks many languages – Polyglot

2. A government by a king or queen – Monarchy

3. A person who does not believe in God – Atheist

4. Fear of closed spaces – Claustrophobia

5. One who is all-powerful – Omnipotent

Practicing such MCQs with answers daily ensures you are well-prepared for exam day.

Final Preparation Strategy

• Start with the basic 500-word list.

• Move to 1200+ words with topic-wise tests.

• Revise with 1500+ or 1600+ word substitution PDFs.

• Solve previous year question papers for SSC and Bank exams.

One-Word Substitution for English is a high-scoring area if prepared with the right strategy. By practicing regularly, revising with PDFs, and attempting mock MCQs, you can master vocabulary and boost your performance in SSC, Bank, Railways, and other government exams. Focus on rules, examples, and practice sets, and you will confidently tackle any question on this topic.

100 One-Word Substitution Questions with Explanations

Persons / Professions

1. A person who loves mankind – Philanthropist
   Explanation: "Philo" = love, "anthropos" = man.

2. A person who hates mankind – Misanthrope
   Explanation- Opposite of philanthropist.

3. A person who studies earthquakes – Seismologist
   Explanation- "Seismo" = earthquake.

4. A person who eats human flesh – Cannibal
   Explanation- From "caníbales" (Spanish).

5. A person who speaks many languages – Polyglot
   Explanation- "Poly" = many, "glot" = tongue/language.

6. A person who believes in fate – Fatalist
   Explanation- Believes everything is pre-decided.

7. A person who believes in God – Theist
   Explanation- Opposite = atheist (no belief in God).

8. A person who does not believe in God – Atheist
   Explanation- "A" = without, "theos" = God.

9. A person who doubts the existence of God – Agnostic
   Explanation accepts or denies God.

10. A person who is all-knowing – Omniscient
    Explanation- "Omni" = all, "scient" = knowledge.

Places

11. A place where weapons are stored – Arsenal
    Explanation- Military storehouse.

12. A place where bees are kept – Apiary
    Explanation- "Apis" = bee.

13. A place where birds are kept – Aviary
    Explanation- "Aves" = birds.

14. A place where wine is made – Brewery/Winery
    Explanation- Factory for brewing.

15. A place where animals are slaughtered – Slaughterhouse/Abattoir
    Explanation- Meat-processing place.

16. A place where wild animals are kept – Zoo
    Explanation- Zoological garden.

17. A place where books are kept – Library
    Explanation- From Latin "librarium".

18. A place where ships are built – Dockyard/Shipyard
    Explanation- Industrial ship-building area.

19. A place where clothes are washed – Laundry
    Explanation- "Lavare" = wash.

20. A place where coins are made – Mint
    Explanation- Government place for minting coins.

Study / Science

21. Study of plants – Botany

22. Study of animals – Zoology

23. Study of stars and planets – Astronomy

24. Study of human mind – Psychology

25. Study of ancient things – Archaeology

26. Study of rocks – Geology

27. Study of birds – Ornithology

28. Study of insects – Entomology

29. Study of universe – Cosmology

30. Study of elections – Psephology

Government / System

31. Rule by a king – Monarchy

32. Rule by people – Democracy

33. Rule by officials – Bureaucracy

34. Rule by wealthy people – Plutocracy

35. Rule by few – Oligarchy

36. Rule by mob – Mobocracy

37. Rule by God – Theocracy

38. Rule by military – Militarism/Junta

39. Rule by no one (lawlessness) – Anarchy

40. Rule by the best – Aristocracy

General Terms

41. A person who talks too much – Loquacious/Garrulous

42. A person who is a great lover of books – Bibliophile

43. A person who writes dictionaries – Lexicographer

44. A person who looks at the bright side of life – Optimist

45. A person who looks at the dark side – Pessimist

46. A person who eats too much – Glutton

47. A person who loves himself – Egoist/Narcissist

48. A person who is new to an activity – Novice

49. A person who never drinks alcohol – Teetotaler

50. A person who spends too much money – Spendthrift

Objects / Things

51. A book of maps – Atlas

52. A handwriting sample – Manuscript

53. A speech by one person – Monologue

54. A speech by two people – Dialogue

55. A speech by many people – Polylogue

56. A medicine that kills germs – Antiseptic

57. A medicine that prevents infection – Vaccine

58. A medicine that induces sleep – Sedative

59. A medicine that relieves pain – Analgesic

60. A medicine that produces insensibility – Anesthetic

Special Situations

61. Fear of water – Hydrophobia

62. Fear of closed places – Claustrophobia

63. Fear of heights – Acrophobia

64. Fear of darkness – Nyctophobia

65. Fear of snakes – Ophidiophobia

66. Fear of crowd – Demophobia

67. Fear of blood – Hemophobia

68. Fear of spiders – Arachnophobia

69. Fear of death – Thanatophobia

70. Fear of being alone – Autophobia

Miscellaneous

71. A handwriting that cannot be read – Illegible

72. A speech that cannot be understood – Incoherent

73. A person who does something for pleasure not for money – Amateur

74. A person who does not eat meat – Vegetarian

75. A person who eats only plant food – Vegan

76. A person who is eighty years old – Octogenarian

77. A person who is seventy years old – Septuagenarian

78. A person who is ninety years old – Nonagenarian

79. A person who is one hundred years old – Centenarian

80. A person who is more than 110 years old – Supercentenarian

Laws & Crimes

81. Killing of a man – Homicide

82. Killing of self – Suicide

83. Killing of father – Patricide

84. Killing of mother – Matricide

85. Killing of brother – Fratricide

86. Killing of king – Regicide

87. Killing of child – Infanticide

88. Killing of wife – Uxoricide

89. Killing of whole race – Genocide

90. Killing of sister – Sororicide

Daily Usage

91. One who looks on the bright side – Optimist

92. One who looks on the negative side – Pessimist

93. Something that cannot be avoided – Inevitable

94. Something that lasts forever – Eternal

95. Something that cannot be heard – Inaudible

96. Something that cannot be seen – Invisible

97. Something that cannot be changed – Irrevocable

98. Something that cannot be corrected – Incorrigible

99. Something that cannot be believed – Incredible

100. Something that cannot be imitated – Inimitable