One Word Substitution

20
CHAPTER

S.N. WORD .................... ................ Meaning in English

1. Abattoir ................... .................... Place where animals are killed for food.
2. Abbot ....................... ........ A man who is the head of a monastery
or an abbey.
3. Abbreviation ........... ................ A shortened form of a word or phrase.
4. Abdication ............... .. To formally give up.
5. Ablution .................. .................. Ritual washing of the body.
6. Abstruse .................. ........... Hard to understand.
7. Abundance .............. ............. A quantity that is more than enough.
8. Accentuate .............. ...................... Give more force or importance to.
9. Accomplice .............. .................. Helper in a wrong deed or crime.
10. Acronym .................. ................ Word formed from initial letters of a
name.
11. Addendum ............... ....................... Thing to be added at the end of a book,
etc.
12. Advertisement ........ ....................... A public notice offering or asking for
goods, services, etc.
13. Afforestation ........... ...................... The act of forestation by planting many
trees.
14. Agenda .................... .................... Items of business for consideration at
a meeting.
15. Aggressor ................ .................. Someone who attacks first.
16. Agnosticism .............. Doubtful about the existence of God.
17. Alien ........................ ................... One who belongs to different country,
race of group.
18. Alimony ................... . Allowance fixed after divorce to a wife.
19. Allegory ................... ................... Story in which ideas are symbolized as
people.
20. Alliteration ............. ....................... Commencement of adjacent words with
the same letter.
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21. Altruist .................... ...................... One who lives and works for the welfare
of others.
22. Amateur .................. ..................... Lacking professional skill or expertise.
23. Ambassador ............. ......................... A diplomatic representative of one
country in another.
24. Ambidextrous .......... .......... Equally skillful with each hand.
25. Ambiguous .............. ....... Having more than one possible
meaning
26. Amnesia .................. ....................... Partial or total loss of memory.
27. Amnesty .................. ................... A general pardon of political offenders.
28. Amphibian .............. ....................... Animals which live both on land and in
water.
29. Amphitheatre .......... .............. A designated section of seats in any part
of a theater.
30. Analgesia ................ ...... The loss of ability to feel pain while still
conscious.
31. Anarchist ................ ....................... One who wishes to destroy all
established government's law and
order.
32. Anarchy ................... ..................... The absence of government in a
country.
33. Anecdote ................. ......................... Short amusing story about some real
person or event.
34. Anniversary ............ .................... Yearly return of the date of an event.
35. Annual ..................... ........................ That which happens once in a year.
36. Anomaly .................. ..................... Deviation or departure from common
rule or standard or what is normal.
37. Anonymous ............. ........................ A book or a work of art whose author is
not known.
38. Antagonist .............. ......................... One that opposes other.
39. Antidote .................. .................. A medicine to cure the effect of poison.
40. Aphasia ................... ...................... Loss of ability to understand speech.
41. Apostate .................. ..................... One who abandons his religious faith.
42. Aquatic .................... ......................... Animals which live in water.
43. Arbitrator/ Arbiter .. ........................ Someone chosen to judge and decide a
disputed issue.
44. Aristocracy .............. .................... A government by the nobles.
45. Armistice ................ .................... The cessation of warfare before a treaty
is signed.
46. Ascetic ..................... ........................ One who practices self denial as a
spiritual discipline.
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47. Assassination .......... .... Killing or murder for political reasons.
48. Astrology ................. ................. Science of the influence of the stars on
human affairs.
49. Astronomy .............. ................. Science of universe with sun, moon,
stars and planets.
50. Atheist .................... ....................... A person who does not believe in the
existence of God.
51. Audience ................. ..................... An assembly of listeners.
52. Autobiography ........ .................. The life-history of a man written by
himself.
53. Autocracy ................ ........................ A government by one person.
54. Avaricious ............... ........................ One who is greedy.
55. Bachelorhood .......... ...................... The state of being unmarried (of a
man).
56. Bankrupt/Insolvent . ...................... A person unable to pay his debts.
57. Bay .......................... .......................... A part of the sea/ lake enclosed by a wide
curve of the shore.
58. Beach ...................... ...................... A stretch of sand/ stones along the edge
of the sea/ lake.
59. Bellicose ................. ......................... A person who is fond of fighting.
60. Belligerent .............. ......................... Engaged in war/fight.
61. Benefactor .............. ..................... One who gives financial help to a school,
hospital, etc.
62. Bibliophile .............. ................... One who loves and collects books.
63. Biennial .................. ........................ That which happens once in two years.
64. Bigamy .................... ................ The custom of having two wives or two
husbands.
65. Bigot ........................ ......................... One who is filled with narrow and
prejudiced opinion.
66. Bilingual ................. ....................... One who can speak two languages.
67. Biography ................ ......................... The life-history of a man written by
someone else.
68. Biped ....................... ......................... Animal with two-feet.
69. Blaspheme .............. ..... Speaking irreverently about God or
sacred things.
70. Bliss ........................ ...................... Perfect happiness.
71. Bohemian ................ .................... One who does not follow the usual norms of
social life.
72. Bookworm/Bibliophilic ................ One who is interested in reading books
and nothing else.
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73. Boorish .................... .......................... Person who is rough and ill mannered.
74. Botany ..................... ............... The science of vegetable life.
75. Brittle ..................... ........................... A thing which can be easily broken.
76. Bureaucracy ............ ..................... A government by the officials.
77. Cabaret ................... ..................... A series of cabre dance/ acts at a night
club.
78. Cabby, Cabdriver ..... ................. The driver of a taxi cab.
79. Cacophony .............. ................... Harsh sound.
80. Cajole ...................... ................ Persuade by flattery.
81. Calligraphy ............. ........................ Art of beautiful hand writing.
82. Cannibal.................. ........................ The man who can eat human flesh.
83. Cannibal.................. .............. One who eats human flesh.
84. Capsize .................... ........................ Overturn in water.
85. Carnage ................... ...................... Killing of large numbers of people.
86. Carnival .................. ................ Public merry making and feasting.
87. Cartographer ........... ................... A person who draws maps and charts.
88. Cartography ............ ................ Art of map making.
89. Catalogue ............... ................... List of books and other articles.
90. Celibate .................. ....................... One who has taken a vow not to have
sex.
91. Cemetery ................ ...................... The place for corpses to be buried.
92. Centenary ............... ........................ Hundredth anniversary.
93. Chronological ......... ........... According to sequence of time.
94. Circumlocution ....... .... A roundabout way of expression.
95. Cloakroom .............. ................... The place for luggage at a railway
station.
96. Coerce ..................... .................. Compel to a course of action.
97. Cognate ................... ............ Having the same source or origin.
98. Colleagues .............. ....................... Persons working in the same
department.
99. Collusion ................ ................... Secret agreement for a fraudulent
purpose.
100. Conflagration .......... ............. Huge destructive fire.
101. Congregation .......... .................... Gathering of worshippers.
102. Congruent ............... ...................... Identical in all respect.
103. Connoisseur ............ .............. One who is well-versed in any subject/
art.
104. Conscription ........... .......... Compulsory enlistment for military or
other services.
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105. Contagious .............. ...................... Which spreads by physical touch or
contact.
106. Contemporary ......... .................... Of the same time.
107. Contiguous ............. ...................... Two countries or States touching a common
boundary.
108. Contrite .................. ..................... Showing deep sorrow for wrong doing.
109. Convalescence ........ .... The period of gradual recovery of health
after illness.
110. Conventicle ............ .... Secret and illegal religious meeting.
111. Coquette ................. .............. A seductive woman who uses her sex
appeal to exploit men.
112. Coronation .............. .................... Ceremony of crowning a king.
113. Cosmopolitan .......... ........ A person who regards the whole world as
his country.
114. Credulous ............... .................. One who is simple and easily believes
whatever is told.
115. Crematory ............... .................. The place for corpses to be burnt.
116. Cripple .................... ............ Someone who is unable to walk
normally because of an injury or
disability to the legs or back.
117. Curfew ..................... .......................... An order that certain activities/
movement are prohibited.
118. Cynosure ................. ................ Centre of attraction.
119. Dead ........................ ............ A language that is no longer spoken.
120. Demagogue ............. ..................... Political leader who delivers sentimental
speeches.
121. Democracy .............. ....................... A government by the people, of the people,
and for the people.
122. Denizen ................... ........................ A person, an animal or a plant that
lives, grows or is often found in a
particular place.
123. Depraved ................. .................... Morally bad or evil.
124. Deprecate ................ .................. Express earnest disapproval of.
125. Dermatology ........... .................. The medical study of the skin and its
diseases.
126. Despondency ........... ......................... Loss of complete hope.
127. Destitution ............. .................. Lacking basic necessities of life.
128. Detrimental ............ ....................... Causing harm or damage.
129. Dexterous ............... ......................... Skilful at handling things.
130. Diatribe ................... ..................... Bitter and violent attack in words or
writing.
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131. Dictatorship ............ ......... Government carried on by an absolute
ruler.
132. Diplomacy ............... ....................... The skill and policy of a country’s
statesmen and politicians/ skill in
dealing with people.
133. Discrepancy ............ ....................... Difference between two things that
should be the same.
134. Dissimulate ............ ........................ To hide or disguise.
135. Diurnal .................... .......................... Of the daytime.
136. Draper ..................... ........................ A shopkeeper selling cloth and
clothing.
137. Draw ........................ ...................... The result of the match where neither
party wins.
138. Dwarf ....................... ........................... A person, plant or animal who/which
is below the usual size.
139. Dynasty ................... ............................ Succession of rulers belonging to one
family.
140. Eavesdropper .......... ..... One who witnesses secretly to private
141. Economical ............. ...................... One who is careful in the use of money/
fuel etc.
142. Edible ...................... ..................... That which is fit to be eaten.
143. Effeminate .............. ............ A man who is womanish in his habits.
144. Egalitarianism ........ ...................... Belief that all people are equal and
have the same rights and opportunities.
145. Egoist ...................... .............. A lover of one’s ownself/supercilious.
146. Eligible ................... ........................... Fit to be chosen; qualified.
147. Emergency .............. ................... A sudden serious situation requiring
immediate action.
148. Emeritus ................. .... One who is honourably discharged from
service.
149. Emigrant ................. ......................... A person who goes to another country
to live.
150. Emissary ................. ............... A person sent on a mission (usually
official).
151. Epicure .................... ...... Person fond of delicious food.
152. Epidemic ................. .................. Disease affecting many people at the same
place and time.
153. Epilogue .................. ..... A speech or a poem recited at the end
of a play.
154. Episode ................... ................. Part of story (especially T.V. or Radio
show story)
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155. Episodic .................. . Happening only some times and
irregularly.
156. Epistle ..................... ............. A letter.
157. Epitaph ................... ........... Words which are inscribed on the grave.
158. Epithet .................... ............... Adjective added to a person’s name
usually to criticise or praise him.
159. Epitome .................. ............... A perfect example.
160. Epitomize ............... ......... To be a perfect example.
161. Equanimity ............. ............................ Calmness of mind and temper.
162. Erotica .................... ................. Books, pictures, etc. intended to arouse
sexual desire.
163. Erudite .................... ................... A learned or scholarly person.
164. Espionage ............... ........................ Practice of spying.
165. Eternal .................... .......................... Existing for ever — without any
beginning or end.
166. Etymology .............. ........... The science which deals with
derivation of words.
167. Euphemism ............. .................. Bombastic style of writing.
168. Euphonious ............. ......................... Sounding pleasant.
169. Euphoria ................. .................. A strong feeling of happiness.
170. Evanescent ............. ....................... Of a very short duration or period.
/ Ephemeral/Transient
171. Explicable ............... .................. That which can be explained.
172. Extempore .............. ........ A speech delivered without any
preparation.
173. Extravaganza .......... ............... Public activity which takes place in a
very elaborate, colourful and expensive
way.
174. Fallacy .................... ............................ False or mistaken belief.
175. Fanatic .................... ......................... One who is filled with excessive and mistaken
enthusiasm.
176. Fastidious ............... ...................... One who is hard to please.
177. Fatal or mortal ........ ....................... Resulting in death.
178. Fatalist ................... ...................... One who believes in destiny.
179. Fauna ...................... ...................... Animals of a certain region.
180. Feminist .................. ....................... One who works for the welfare of
women.
181. Fiasco ...................... ................ Complete failure.
182. Flagstaff .................. ...................... A long pole on which a flag is flown.
183. Flora ........................ ....................... All the plants of a particular area or
period of time.
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184. Fluke ....................... .......... Stroke of good luck.
185. Forgery .................... ..................... Counterfeiting of document.
186. Fratricide ................ ...................... Killing/killer of one’s brother.
187. Frenzy ..................... ......................... A state of extreme excitement.
188. Frostbite ................. ........................ Injury to the nose, fingers or toes, caused
by extreme cold.
189. Gallery .................... .................. A room or building for showing works of
art.
190. Gamble .................... .......................... To play games of chance, etc. for
money.
191. Gastronomy ............ .......... Science and art of preparing and
appreciating good food.
192. Genocide ................. ..................... Extermination of a race or community.
193. Geology ................... .................. The science of earth’s history and
rocks.
194. Germicide ............... ................ A substance that kills germs.
195. Glutton .................... ............................. One who eats too much.
196. Gobble ..................... ....... Eat fast, noisly and greedily.
197. Gratis/Gratuitous ... ...................... Done or obtained without payment.
198. Gregarious .............. ........... Animals that live in flocks.
199. Hallucinogen ........... .......... A drug that causes one to hallucinate.
200. Hedonism ................ ........................ Belief that the most important thing in
the world is pleasure.
201. Henchman ............... .......................... Faithful supporter.
202. Herbivorous ............ ...................... Animals which feed on vegetation.
203. Herculean ............... ................. Having enormous strength or size.
204. Heterogeneous ........ .......................... Things which contain elements of
different nature.
205. Hexagon .................. ..................... A plane figure with six sides and angles.
206. Holocaust ................ ....................... Large scale destruction by fire.
207. Homicide ................. ................... Murder or murderer of a man.
208. Homogeneous ......... .......................... Things which contain elements of the
same nature.
209. Honorary ................. ..................... A post for which no salary is paid.
210. Horticulture ............ ....................... Art of growing vegetables, fruit, etc.
211. Hospitable ............... .................. Fond of entertaining guests.
212. Hypochondria .......... ............. Imaginary ailments.
213. Iconoclast ............... ............... One who opposes established institutions
or beliefs.

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214. Idolatry ................... ..................... The worship of idols or images.
215. Illegal ...................... .......................... Contrary to law.
216. Illegible .................. ...................... Incapable of being read.
217. Illicit ....................... .......................... A trade or act prohibited by law.
218. Illiterate ................. ........................ One who does not know reading and
writing.
219. Imaginary ............... ..................... Existing only in the mind.
220. Immigrant ............... ....................... A person who comes to one country from
another in order to settle there.
221. Immune ................... ...................... Free from infection.
222. Impalpable .............. ...................... Incapable of being perceived by touch.
223. Impenetrable .......... ....................... That which cannot be penetrated.
224. Imperceptible .......... ......................... That which cannot be perceived by
sense.
225. Imperialism ............ .................... Policy of extending a country’s empire and
influence.
226. Impertinent ............ ........................ Not showing proper respect.
227. Impiety .................... .............. Lack of respect or religious reverence.
228. Imponderable .......... ..................... That which cannot be guessed or
calculated.
229. Imposter .................. ..................... One who assumes a character or title
not his own to deceive others.
230. Impracticable .......... .................. Incapable of being practised.
231. Impregnable ............ .......................... Too strong to be overcome or defeated.
232. Impregnable ............ .................. That which cannot be taken by force of
arms.
233. Impresario .............. ....................... A manager or director of a ballet, a
concert, a theatre or an opera company.
234. Impromptu .............. ............... Something said or done without
preparation.
235. Impudent ................. ........... Rude and not respectful.
236. Impunity ................. ..................... Freedom from punishment.
237. Inaccessible ............ ...... Incapable of being reached.
238. Inadmissible ........... ..................... That which cannot be admitted or
allowed.
239. Inaudible ................. ............... A sound that cannot be heard.
240. Incendiary ............... ..... Designed to cause fire/likely to cause
violence.
241. Incombustible ......... .................. That which cannot be burnt.
242. Incomparable .......... ............ That which cannot be compared.
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243. Incorrigible ............. .... Incapable of being corrected.
244. Incredible ................ .................. Which can’t be believed.
245. Incurable ................. ........................ Which cannot be cured.
246. Indefatigable ........... .................. Incapable of being tired.
247. Indefensible ............ ...................... Which cannot be defended.
248. Indelible .................. ......................... Which cannot be erased or forgotten.
249. Indemnity ............... ...................... Compensation for loss.
250. Indestructible ......... ....................... That which cannot be destroyed.
251. Indignant ................ ....... Angry at injustice.
252. Indispensable .......... ...................... That without which one can’t do.
253. Indivisible ............... ...................... That which cannot be divided.
254. Ineligible ................ ........................ Not suitable to be elected or selected
under the rules.
255. Inevitable ............... .......................... Incapable of being avoided.
256. Inexcusable ............. ........................ That which cannot be excused.
257. Inexplicable ............ ...................... Which cannot be explained.
258. Inexplicit ................ ........................ Not definitely or clearly expressed.
259. Inexpressible .......... ...................... That which cannot be expressed in
words.
260. Infallible ................. ............. Never wrong.
261. Infanticide .............. ...................... Killing of an infant.
262. Infectious ................ ...................... A disease which spreads through air
and water.
263. Inflammable ........... .................... Which catches fire easily.
264. Inimitable ............... ......... Incapable of being imitated.
265. Insecticide .............. .................... A substance that kills insects.
266. Insolvent ................. ...................... A person who is unable to pay his debt.
267. Insurrection ............ ........................ Rising in arms against an established
government.
268. Intercede ................. ............... Plead to obtain a favour to save
someone else.
269. Intercept ................. ......................... To check or stop on way.
270. Intrigue/conspire ... ................. Make or carry out secret planning.
271. Introspection .......... ................ Examination of self thought or feeling.
272. Invincible ................ .......................... That which cannot be defeated.
273. Invisible .................. ......................... That which cannot be seen.
274. Invulnerable ........... ........................ Incapable of being harmed.
275. Irreconcilable .......... ........................ Impossible to find agreement between.
276. Irrecoverable ........... ... That which cannot be recovered.
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277. Irreparable .............. ...................... Incapable of being repaired.
278. Irrevocable .............. ................... That which cannot be altered.
279. Itinerant ................. ...................... One who travels from place to place.
280. Journal ................... ....................... A newspaper or magazine that deals
with a particular subject or professional
activity.
281. Juxtapose ............... ............... Placing a thing beside another.
282. Lagoon .................... ...................... Salt water lake separated from the sea by
sand banks.
283. Lexicographer ......... ........ A person who compiles a dictionary.
284. Linguist .................. .. One who speaks many foreign
languages.
285. Logic ....................... ............................ The science of reasoning.
286. Maidenhood ............ ...... The state of being unmarried (of a girl).
287. Mammals ................ ...................... Animals which give birth to babies and
feed them with their milk.
288. Manuscript ............. ...................... Matter written by hand.
289. Mariticide ............... ..................... Killing of one’s husband.
290. Martyr ..................... .......................... One who dies for a noble cause.
291. Masque ................... .................... A play or a dramatic performance in
verse, with music, dance and fine
costumes.
292. Massacre ................. ................ Killing of large numbers of people.
293. Materialist .............. .................... A person for whom money is the most
important consideration.
294. Matins ..................... .............. Morning prayer.
295. Matricide ................ ...................... Killing of one’s own mother.
296. Matrimony .............. ......................... Marriage.
297. Maxim ..................... ........................ A short statement of a general truth.
298. Memento ................. ........................ Something kept to remember place or
event.
299. Mercenary .............. ............... One who acts only for money.
300. Metamorphosis ....... ...................... Complete change in appearance.
301. Meticulous .............. .......................... Very particular about small details.
302. Migration ................ .......................... Movement from one country to another.
303. Misandrist .............. ...................... One who hates males.
304. Misanthrope ........... .................. A hater of mankind.
305. Misogamist ............. ... Hater of marriage.
306. Misogynist .............. .. A hater of womankind.
307. Misologist ............... ..... Hater of learning.
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308. Misoneist ................ .................... Hater of new things.
309. Missionary .............. ................... A person sent to teach Christian
religion
310. Monastery .............. ............................ Place where monks live.
311. Monogamy .............. ................ The practice of keeping only one wife.
312. Mortal ..................... ............. Subject to death.
313. Mortuary ................. ......................... A place where dead bodies are kept
before post-mortem.
314. Mutilation .............. ..... Cutting off body parts.
315. Naive ....................... .................... Having natural simplicity of nature.
316. Narcotics ................. ................ A medicine that induces sleep.
317. Naturalism .............. ...................... Adherence or attachment to what is
natural.
318. Neogamist ............... .................... One who is recently married.
319. Nepotism ................. .............. Undue favour shown to one’s own
relatives.
320. Neurotic .................. . Excessive sensitive, anxious or
obsessive.
321. Newfangled ............. ............ Newly developed and unfamiliar.
322. Nonentity ................ ................... Person of no importance.
323. Nonpareil ................ ....................... Person or thing which has no equal.
324. Notorious ................ .............. Having an evil reputation.
325. Nuance .................... ...................... Subtle difference in colour, meaning
etc.
326. Numismatics ........... ............. The study of coins.
327. Nursery ................... ...................... The place where young plants are
grown.
328. Obscurantist ........... ............... Person who is opposed to enlightment.
329. Obsequies ............... ................ Funeral rites.
330. Obsolete .................. .... That which is no longer in use.
331. Octagon ................... ...................... A plane figure with eight sides and
angles.
332. Oligarchy ................ ............... A government by a small group of
powerful persons.
333. Omniform ................ .................... Having every form or shape.
334. Omnigenous ............ ................ Comprising all kinds.
335. Omnipotent ............. .................. All-powerful (God).
336. Omnipresent ........... ................. Present everywhere (God).
337. Omniscient ............. ....................... Knowing everything (God).

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338. Opaque .................... ...................... That which cannot be seen through.
339. Optimist .................. ..................... A person who looks to the bright side of
things.
340. Orator ...................... .......................... One who makes an eloquent public
speech.
341. Orchard ................... .............. A garden of fruits.
342. Orphan .................... ......................... A child whose parents are dead.
343. Ostracize ................. ........... To turn out of society.
344. Oviparous ................ .................... Bearing eggs and not young ones.
345. Pacifist .................... ..................... A person who believes in the total
abolition of war.
346. Pageant ................... ....... Elaborate public spectacle.
347. Palatable ................. ........................ Food or drink that has a pleasant taste.
348. Panacea ................... ....................... A remedy for all kinds of diseases.
349. Pandemonium ......... ........................ A wild and noisy disorder.
350. Panegyric ................ ..................... Piece of writing full of praise.
351. Pantomime ............. .................. Dramatic performance with dumb
show.
352. Paramour ................ ... Sexual partner or lover.
353. Parasite ................... ........................ One who entirely depends on another.
354. Parasol .................... .................... A lady’s umbrella.
355. Parricide ................. ....... Killing of both the parents.
356. Patricide ................. ....................... Killing of one’s own father.
357. Patrimony ............... .......................... Inherited from father or male ancestor.
358. Patriot ..................... ....................... One who loves one’s country.
359. Patronymic ............. ...................... Name derived from that of father or
ancestor.
360. Pauper ..................... ......................... One who has no means of livelihood.
361. Peculation .............. ........................... Use of public money for one’s own
benefit.
362. Pedantic .................. ........ A style in which a writer makes a
display of his knowledge and learning.
363. Pedestrian .............. .................... One who walks on foot.
364. Peninsula ................ ........................ Area of land almost surrounded by sea.
365. Pentagon ................. ........................ A plane figure with five sides and
angles.
366. Perceptible .............. .................... That can be perceived by the senses.
367. Peroration ............... .............. Concluding part of a speech.
368. Perseverance .......... .......................... Constant efforts to achieve something.
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 OneWord Substitution
369. Perspicacious .......... ............... Quick in judging and understanding.
370. Perversion .............. ......................... Change to something abnormal or
unnatural.
371. Pessimist ................ .................... A person who looks at the dark side of
things.
372. Philanderer ............. ....................... A man who amuses himself by love-
making.
373. Philanthropist ........ .................. A lover of mankind.
374. Philatelist ............... .......... Collector of stamps.
375. Philistine ................ ........ Person who is indifferent to art and
literature.
376. Philogynist ............. .... A lover of womankind.
377. Philology ................. ............. Science of study of language.
378. Pilgrim .................... ...................... One who travels to a sacred place.
379. Pioneer .................... ......................... One who leads others in any field.
380. Piquant ................... ............ Pleasant or sharp to the taste/
interesting.
381. Placard/Poster ........ ....................... Written or printed notice pasted in
public places.
382. Plagiarism .............. ............... The practice of borrowing words and
ideas from other authors and using
them as one’s own; literary theft.
383. Platitude ................. ............... Statement that is obviously true and
hence dull or not stimulating.
384. Plutocracy ............... ...................... A government by a rich and powerful
class.
385. Polyandry ................ ................... The custom of having more than two
husbands at the same time.
386. Polygamy ................ ............... The custom of having more than two
spouses at the same time.
387. Polyglot ................... .................... Person having command over many
languages.
388. Polygon ................... ........................ A figure with many angles or sides.
389. Posthumous ............ ..................... Received after death.
390. Postscript ................ ...................... Anything written in a letter after it is
signed.
391. Predicament ........... .......................... Difficult or dangerous situation.
392. Prejudiced ............... ........................ Be biased against.
393. Premonition ............ ....................... Forewarning of an impending danger.
394. Prerogative ............. .................. Absolute right.
395. Prodigy .................... .......... A child with unusual or remarkable
talent.
396. Prognostication ...... .................... Act of forecasting by examining present
conditions.
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One Word Substitution
397. Prologue .................. .................... A speech or a poem recited at the beginning
of a play.
398. Promiscuous ........... .................. Having a lot of different sexual
partners.
399. Proponent ............... ...................... Person who proposes something.
400. Propriety ................. ......................... State of being correct in behavior or
moral.
401. Protagonist ............. ............ An important supporter of an idea or
political system/Chief actor or
character in a story or drama.
402. Protectorate ............ .................. Country under the protection of a more
powerful country.
403. Prudent ................... ....................... Wise.
404. Pseudonym ............. ................... Name taken by an author instead of his
real name
405. Punctitious ............. ................ Very careful to behave correctly.
406. Pyrotechnic ............. .... Art of making fireworks.
407. Quadruped .............. ........................ Four footed-animal.
408. Rebel ....................... ........................... One who takes up arms against the
government.
409. Recapitulate ........... ............. Repeat the main points.
410. Recluse ................... .................... One who lives alone and avoids
company.
411. Reconcile ................ ............ Bring about harmony or agreement.
412. Reconnaissance ...... .. Information gathering activity about
enemy forces.
413. Red tapism .............. ............... Too much official formality.
414. Redundancy ............ .................. When something is unnecessary
because it is more than what is needed.
415. Regicide .................. ................ Killing of a king.
416. Relegate/Demote ... .................... Reduce to a lower position.
417. Reluctant ................ ..................... Unwilling
418. Remission ............... ........................... Pardon or forgiveness for breaking
religious laws.
419. Rendezvous ............. ................... Place fixed for meeting or assembling
420. Renegade ................ ................... Person who changes his religious
belief/support to someone else or some
other nation.
421. Repartee .................. ................. Witty and clever answers.
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 OneWord Substitution
422. Repercussion .......... .......................... Effect of some event, action or decision.
423. Replica .................... ....................... Copy or reproduction of a work of art.
424. Repository .............. ......................... Place where things are stored for safety.
425. Republic .................. ......................... A political system in which the
supreme power lies in a body of citizens
who can elect people to represent them.
426. Requiem .................. ..................... Prayer for the dead.
427. Restitution ............. . Return of object stolen or lost.
428. Retaliate ................. .................... Return the same sort of ill-treatment.
429. Reticent/Taciturn .. ..................... Person who does not speak too much.
430. Retrospective .......... ....................... An effect which has a reference to the
past.
431. Rumous/Hearsay .... ....................... Unverified information.
432. Sacrilege ................. ............ Treating something holy without
respect.
433. Sarcasm .................. ........................... Bitter and ironical remark.
434. Savage ..................... ......................... Violent and uncivilized.
435. Scapegoat ............... ................ One who is blamed for the mistakes of
others.
436. Sceptic .................... .......................... One who is doubtful.
437. Screech ................... ........................ Cry out in shrill voice.
438. Scrimmage .............. ..................... Confused struggle or fight.
439. Scurry ..................... ... Move hurriedly with short steps.
440. Sedition .................. .. Act or speech for inciting the public
against the government.
441. Senility ................... ..................... Extreme old age when a man behaves
like a fool.
442. Siesta ...................... ............. Period of rest or sleep after lunch.
443. Simultaneous ......... ..................... Occurring at the same time.
444. Sinecure .................. . An office for which high salary is paid
for little or no work or responsibility.
445. Smother .................. ..................... Kill by suffocation (especially by
covering the face with something).
446. Sojourn .................... ..... Stay for a short time.
447. Soliloquy ................. Speaking aloud while alone.
448. Somnambulist ........ ........... One who walks in sleep.
449. Somniloquist .......... ........... One who talks in sleep.
450. Sonorous ................. ......................... Having a deep and pleasant sound.
451. Sorocide .................. ................ Killing of one’s own sister.

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One Word Substitution
452. Spendthrift ............. ................... One who spends one’s money
recklessly.
453. Spinster .................. ................. An unmarried woman.
454. Spiritualist ............. .................... A person who believes in spiritual
things.
455. Sporadic .................. ........................ Occurring irregularly.
456. Stoic ........................ ......................... A person who is indifferent to pleasure
and pain.
457. Strangulate ............. ............. Kill by putting pressure on the throat/
to apply pressure.
458. Subdue .................... ................ To bring under control.
459. Subjugate ................ .................. To bring under control.
460. Suicide .................... ..................... Taking of one’s own life.
461. Supercilious ............ ......................... Thinking oneself superior to others.
462. Sycophant ............... ....................... Person who tries to win a favour by
flattering other.
463. Synagogue .............. ............. Place where Jews worship.
464. Talkative/Garrulous .. ......................... Person who is fond of talking.
465. Tantrum .................. ......................... Fit of bad temper or anger.
466. Teetotaller .............. ..................... One who abstains from alcoholic
drinks.
467. Theist ...................... ....................... A person who believes in existence of
God.
468. Theocracy ............... ....................... A government by religious leaders.
469. Thermometer .......... ................ An instrument for measuring
temperature.
470. Traitor ..................... ........................ One who betrays one’s country.
471. Transgressor ........... ................ One who violets a rule or law.
472. Transmigration ....... ..... The passage of soul after death from one
body to the other.
473. Transmogrification . ..................... Complete change in appearance or
character (especially in a magical or
surprising way).
474. Transparent ............ ........................ That allows the passage of rays of light.
475. Truant ..................... ....................... One who stays away from school/work
without permission.
476. Truism ..................... .................... A truth which is often repeated.
477. Turncoat .................. ........................... Disloyal.
478. Unanimous .............. ........................ Consent of all.

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 OneWord Substitution
479. Unavoidable ............ ...................... That which cannot be avoided.
480. Unique ..................... ........................ The only one of its type.
481. Universal ................ .................... Belonging to all parts of the world.
482. Usurper ................... .......... One who grabs somebody's else property
or title.
483. Uxoricide ................. .................... Killing of one’s wife.
484. Uxorious/Henpecked ............. Foolishly fond of one’s wife.
485. Vacuous ................... ....................... Suggesting absence of thought or
intellect.
486. Vendetta .................. ...... Feud in which the relatives of the dead or
injured take revenge.
487. Verbatim ................. ........................ Repetition of a writing, word for word.
488. Verbose ................... ................... Using or containing more words than are
necessary.
489. Versatile ................. ....................... One who possesses many talents.
490. Verso ....................... ....................... Any left hand page of an open book.
491. Vespers .................... ............... Evening prayer in the church.
492. Veteran ................... ....................... One who has grown old in or has long
experience of (specially military)
service or occupation.
493. Vincible ................... ........... That which can be conquered.
494. Vindictive/Vengeful .. ...................... Having or showing a desire for revenge.
495. Virulent ................... ....................... Highly poisonous effect.
496. Viviparous ............... .................. Bearing living young ones and not eggs.
497. Volte-face ................ .......... Sudden change from one set of beliefs
to other.
498. Voluntary ................ ...................... Of one’s own free will.
499. Voyage..................... .................... Journey by water or sea.
500. Vulnerable .............. .................. That which can be easily damaged or
hurt.
501. Widow ..................... ......................... A woman whose husband is dead.
502. Widower .................. .......................... A man whose wife is dead.
503. Wreathe .................. ........................ Flowers fastened in a circle.
504. Zealot ...................... ....................... Person who shows great and
uncompromising enthusiasm for a
religion, party, cause, etc.

356 English – from Plinth to Paramount