One-word Substitution - Theory & Concepts
đ One-word Substitution - Complete Theory
Master vocabulary - replace phrases with precise words!
đ¯ 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!)
đ 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)
đ 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) â Bible reminds books â Book lover â
Omnipresent = Omni (all) + present â Present everywhere â
Strategy 3: Use Mnemonics
EGOIST â “EGO is everything” â One who thinks only of self
ALTRUIST â “ALTER ego for others” â 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!
đĄ 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)
đ¯ Exam Strategy
Time Management
Per question: 20-30 seconds If you know the word â 15 sec If you need to guess â 30 sec
Elimination Strategy
- Eliminate obviously wrong options
- Use root word knowledge
- Make educated guess from remaining
đ Practice Approach
Daily Routine
Learn 10 new words daily with meanings Revise previous words Practice with previous year questions Target: 150+ words before exam
đ 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:
đ¯ Continue Your Learning Journey
Master One-word Substitution - Build vocabulary, learn roots! đ
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