📖 One-word Substitution - Complete Theory

Master vocabulary - replace phrases with precise words!

🎯 What is One-word Substitution?

One-word Substitution is replacing a phrase or sentence with a single word that conveys the same meaning.

Example:

Phrase: "A person who eats too much"
One word: Glutton

Phrase: "A government by the people"
One word: Democracy

Phrase: "One who can speak two languages"
One word: Bilingual

Importance in IBPS:

• Prelims: 3-5 questions
• Mains: 5-10 questions
• Scoring: Vocabulary-dependent (learn common words!)

📐 Question Format

Format 1: Phrase to Word

Question:

"A person who loves books"

A) Bibliophile
B) Bibliographer
C) Librarian
D) Scholar

Answer: A (Bibliophile)

Format 2: Word to Phrase

Question:

"Omnipresent" means:

A) All-knowing
B) All-powerful
C) Present everywhere
D) Knowing everything

Answer: C (Present everywhere)

📚 150+ Important One-word Substitutions

Category 1: People & Professions

1. Altruist

One who works for the welfare of others selflessly
Example: Mother Teresa was a true altruist.

2. Atheist

One who doesn't believe in God
Example: He is an atheist and doesn't visit temples.

3. Bibliophile

One who loves books
Example: As a bibliophile, she has a huge collection.

4. Misanthrope

One who hates mankind
Example: His bitter experiences made him a misanthrope.

5. Philanthropist

One who loves mankind and works for welfare
Example: Bill Gates is a well-known philanthropist.

6. Polyglot

One who speaks many languages
Example: Being a polyglot, he could communicate anywhere.

7. Bilingual

One who speaks two languages
Example: She is bilingual in English and Hindi.

8. Linguist

One who studies languages
Example: He is a linguist specializing in ancient languages.

9. Optimist

One who looks at the bright side of things
Example: He is an optimist who sees opportunities in challenges.

10. Pessimist

One who looks at the dark side of things
Example: Don't be such a pessimist; have hope!

11. Vegetarian

One who doesn't eat meat
Example: She is a strict vegetarian.

12. Stoic

One who remains calm and doesn't show emotions
Example: He remained stoic despite the tragedy.

13. Novice

Beginner, one who is new to something
Example: He is a novice in programming.

14. Veteran

One who has long experience
Example: He is a veteran journalist with 30 years experience.

15. Contemporary

One who belongs to the same time period
Example: Shakespeare's contemporaries admired his work.

Category 2: Government & Systems

16. Monarchy

Government by a king or queen
Example: Britain is a constitutional monarchy.

17. Democracy

Government by the people
Example: India is the world's largest democracy.

18. Autocracy

Government by one absolute ruler
Example: North Korea is an autocracy.

19. Oligarchy

Government by a small group of people
Example: Some countries function as oligarchies.

20. Plutocracy

Government by the wealthy
Example: Critics say the country has become a plutocracy.

21. Bureaucracy

Government by officials/departments
Example: The bureaucracy slows down decision-making.

22. Theocracy

Government by religious leaders
Example: Iran is considered a theocracy.

Category 3: Killing & Death

23. Suicide

Act of killing oneself
Example: He committed suicide due to depression.

24. Homicide

Act of killing a human being
Example: The detective investigated the homicide.

25. Genocide

Systematic killing of a race/group
Example: The genocide shocked the world.

26. Infanticide

Killing of an infant
Example: Infanticide is a serious crime.

27. Patricide

Killing of one's father
Example: He was convicted of patricide.

28. Matricide

Killing of one's mother
Example: Matricide is rare but horrific.

29. Fratricide

Killing of one's brother
Example: The story involved fratricide.

30. Regicide

Killing of a king
Example: The regicide changed the nation's history.

Category 4: Medical & Science Terms

31. Epidemic

Disease spreading in a community at a particular time
Example: The flu epidemic affected thousands.

32. Pandemic

Disease spread across countries/continents
Example: COVID-19 was a global pandemic.

33. Endemic

Disease regularly found in a particular area
Example: Malaria is endemic in tropical regions.

34. Antidote

Medicine to counteract poison
Example: They administered the antidote quickly.

35. Autopsy

Post-mortem examination of body
Example: The autopsy revealed the cause of death.

36. Carnivorous

Meat-eating
Example: Lions are carnivorous animals.

37. Herbivorous

Plant-eating
Example: Cows are herbivorous animals.

38. Omnivorous

Eating both plants and meat
Example: Humans are omnivorous.

Category 5: Study & Knowledge

39. Autobiography

Life story written by the person themselves
Example: Gandhi wrote his autobiography.

40. Biography

Life story written by someone else
Example: I read a biography of Einstein.

41. Calligraphy

Art of beautiful handwriting
Example: She practices calligraphy daily.

42. Geology

Study of rocks and earth
Example: He has a degree in geology.

43. Astronomy

Study of celestial objects
Example: Astronomy has always fascinated humans.

44. Astrology

Study of stars' influence on human affairs
Example: She believes in astrology and horoscopes.

45. Archaeology

Study of ancient civilizations through excavation
Example: Archaeology helps us understand history.

46. Zoology

Study of animals
Example: She is pursuing zoology.

47. Botany

Study of plants
Example: Botany is her favorite subject.

48. Entomology

Study of insects
Example: Entomology reveals fascinating insect behavior.

Category 6: Omni- Words (All/Every)

49. Omnipresent

Present everywhere
Example: God is omnipresent according to believers.

50. Omnipotent

All-powerful
Example: The king considered himself omnipotent.

51. Omniscient

All-knowing
Example: The narrator in the story is omniscient.

52. Omnivorous

Eating everything (both plants and meat)
Example: Bears are omnivorous animals.

Category 7: -phobia (Fear of)

53. Claustrophobia

Fear of closed spaces
Example: His claustrophobia prevents him from using elevators.

54. Acrophobia

Fear of heights
Example: She has acrophobia and can't climb mountains.

55. Hydrophobia

Fear of water (also symptom of rabies)
Example: Hydrophobia is associated with rabies.

56. Xenophobia

Fear/hatred of foreigners
Example: Xenophobia has increased in some countries.

57. Agoraphobia

Fear of open/public spaces
Example: Agoraphobia kept her indoors.

Category 8: -phile (Love of)

58. Bibliophile

Lover of books
Example: Every bibliophile dreams of a huge library.

59. Anglophile

Lover of English culture
Example: He is an Anglophile who adores British traditions.

60. Francophile

Lover of French culture
Example: As a Francophile, she visits Paris yearly.

Category 9: Time-related

61. Annual

Happening once a year
Example: The annual conference attracts thousands.

62. Biennial

Happening once in two years
Example: The biennial festival is a major event.

63. Centennial

100th anniversary
Example: The university celebrated its centennial.

64. Millennium

Period of 1000 years
Example: We entered a new millennium in 2000.

65. Contemporary

Belonging to the same time
Example: He studied contemporary literature.

66. Ephemeral

Lasting for a very short time
Example: Fame can be ephemeral.

67. Eternal

Lasting forever
Example: Their love was eternal.

68. Posthumous

After death
Example: He received a posthumous award.

Category 10: Places & Buildings

69. Auditorium

Place where audience sits
Example: The auditorium was packed.

70. Gymnasium

Place for physical exercise
Example: He works out at the gymnasium daily.

71. Aquarium

Place where fish are kept
Example: Children love visiting the aquarium.

72. Aviary

Place where birds are kept
Example: The zoo has a beautiful aviary.

73. Brewery

Place where beer is made
Example: They toured the brewery.

74. Granary

Place where grain is stored
Example: The granary was full after harvest.

75. Mint

Place where coins are made
Example: The government mint produces currency.

76. Observatory

Place for observing stars/weather
Example: The observatory has powerful telescopes.

Category 11: Collections & Groups

77. Anthology

Collection of poems or stories
Example: She published an anthology of short stories.

78. Archipelago

Group of islands
Example: Indonesia is an archipelago nation.

79. Bouquet

Collection of flowers
Example: He gave her a beautiful bouquet.

80. Fleet

Group of ships
Example: The naval fleet was impressive.

81. Herd

Group of cattle
Example: A herd of elephants crossed the road.

82. Flock

Group of birds/sheep
Example: A flock of birds flew overhead.

Category 12: Behaviors & Characteristics

83. Ambiguous

Having more than one meaning, unclear
Example: His answer was ambiguous.

84. Ambidextrous

Able to use both hands equally well
Example: She is ambidextrous and writes with both hands.

85. Inevitable

Certain to happen, unavoidable
Example: Death is inevitable.

86. Incredible

Unbelievable, extraordinary
Example: The view was incredible.

87. Edible

Fit to be eaten
Example: These mushrooms are edible.

88. Illegible

Cannot be read (bad handwriting)
Example: His handwriting is illegible.

89. Inaudible

Cannot be heard
Example: Her voice was inaudible in the noise.

90. Invisible

Cannot be seen
Example: Bacteria are invisible to naked eye.

91. Tangible

Can be touched, real
Example: We need tangible evidence.

92. Transparent

Can be seen through
Example: Glass is transparent.

Category 13: More Important Words

93. Amateur

One who does something for pleasure, not professionally
Example: He is an amateur photographer.

94. Connoisseur

Expert judge in matters of taste
Example: He is a connoisseur of fine wines.

95. Cynic

One who believes people are motivated by self-interest
Example: The cynic doubted everyone's motives.

96. Emigrant

One who leaves own country to settle in another
Example: He is an emigrant from India.

97. Immigrant

One who comes to live in a new country
Example: She is an immigrant to Canada.

98. Fatalist

One who believes in fate
Example: As a fatalist, he accepted everything.

99. Hypocrite

One who pretends to have virtues they don't have
Example: He is a hypocrite who preaches but doesn't practice.

100. Illiterate

One who cannot read or write
Example: The literacy program helps illiterate adults.

⚡ Memorization Strategies

Strategy 1: Root Word Analysis

Learn common roots:
- "bio" = life (biology, biography, biodiversity)
- "auto" = self (autobiography, automobile, automatic)
- "phile" = love (bibliophile, Francophile)
- "phobia" = fear (claustrophobia, acrophobia)

Understanding roots helps decode new words!

Strategy 2: Create Associations

Bibliophile = Bible + phile (lover)
→ Bible reminds books → Book lover ✓

Omnipresent = Omni (all) + present
→ Present everywhere ✓

Strategy 3: Use Mnemonics

EGOIST → "EGO is everything"
→ One who thinks only of self

ALTRUIST → "ALTER ego for others"
→ One who helps others

Strategy 4: Categorize by Theme

Group similar words:
- All government types together
- All phobias together
- All -ologies together

Easier to remember in groups!

💡 Solved Examples

Example 1

Question:

"One who speaks two languages"

A) Polyglot
B) Bilingual
C) Linguist
D) Interpreter

Answer: B (Bilingual - bi = two, lingual = language)

Example 2

Question:

"Anthropology" is the study of:

A) Animals
B) Plants
C) Human beings and their culture
D) Ancient civilizations

Answer: C (anthro = human, logy = study)

Example 3

Question:

"A place where birds are kept"

A) Aquarium
B) Aviary
C) Apiary
D) Zoo

Answer: B (Aviary)

🎯 Exam Strategy

Time Management

Per question: 20-30 seconds
If you know the word → 15 sec
If you need to guess → 30 sec

Elimination Strategy

1. Eliminate obviously wrong options
2. Use root word knowledge
3. Make educated guess from remaining

📝 Practice Approach

Daily Routine

Learn 10 new words daily with meanings
Revise previous words
Practice with previous year questions
Target: 150+ words before exam

🔗 Related Topics

Uses Concepts From:

• Vocabulary building
• Etymology (word origins)
• Root words and prefixes

Related English Topics:

• Idioms & Phrases - Vocabulary
• Reading Comprehension - Word meanings

Practice:

• One-word Substitution Questions

Master One-word Substitution - Build vocabulary, learn roots! 📖