One word substitution is a linguistic term referring to the act of replacing a group of words with a single word that expresses the same or similar meaning. It is also known as “nominalization” or “substantivization”.
One Word Substitution with Letter A: Part 1
Serial No. | One Word Substitution | Meaning |
1. | Abattoir | A 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 | Partner in crime |
10. | Acronym | A word formed from initial letters of a name. |
11. | Addendum | Things to be added at the end of a book. |
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 a different country race of group |
18. | Alimony | Allowance fixed after divorce to the wife. |
19. | Allegory | The story in which ideas are symbolized as people. |
20. | Alliteration | Commencement of adjacent words with the same letter |
21. | Altruist | One who lives and works for the welfare of others. |
22. | Amateur | Not professional. |
23. | Ambassador | A diplomatic representative of one country in another. |
24. | Ambidextrous | Equality is skillful with each hand. |
25. | Ambiguous | Having more than one possible meaning. |
Read Also: Basic English Words to Learn
One Word Substitution with Letter A: Part 2
Serial No. | One Word Substitution | Meaning |
1. | Amnesia | Partial or total loss of memory |
2. | Amnesty | A general pardon of political offenders. |
3. | Amphibian | Animals that live both on land and in water. |
4. | Amphitheatre | A designated section of seats in any part of a theatre |
5. | Analgesia | The loss of ability to feel pain while still conscious. |
6. | Anarchist | The who wishes to destroy all established government’s law and order. |
7. | Anarchy | The absence of government in a country. |
8. | Anecdote | A short amusing story about some real person or event. |
9. | Anniversary | Yearly return of the date of an event. |
10. | Annual | That happens once a year. |
11. | Anomaly | Deviation or departure from a common rule or standard or what is normal. |
12. | Anonymous | A book or a work of art whose author is not known. |
13. | Antagonist | One that opposes the other. |
14. | Antidote | A medicine to cure the effect of poison. |
15. | Aphasia | Loss of ability to understand speech. |
16. | Apostate | One who abandons his religious faith. |
17. | Aquatic | Animals that live in water. |
18. | Arbitrator/ Arbiter | Someone chose to judge and decide on a disputed issue. |
19. | Aristocracy | A government by the nobles. |
20. | Armistice | The cessation of warfare before a treaty is signed. |
21. | Ascetic | One who practices self-denial as a spiritual discipline. |
22. | Assassination | Killing or murder for political reasons. |
23. | Astrology | Science of the influence of the stars on human affairs. |
24. | Astronomy | Science of universe with sun, moon, stars and planets. |
25. | Atheist | A person who does not believe in the existence of God. |
26. | Audience | An assembly of listeners. |
27. | Autobiography | The life history of a man written by himself. |
28. | Autocracy | A government by one person. |
29. | Avaricious | One who is greedy. |
One Word Substitution with Letter B
Serial No. | One Word Substitution | Meaning |
1. | Bachelorhood | The state of being unmarried (of a man). |
2. | Bankrupt/ Insolvent | A person is unable to pay his debts. |
3. | Bay | A part of the sea/ lake is enclosed by a wide curve of the shore. |
4. | Beach | A stretch of sand/ stones along the edge of the sea/ lake. |
5. | Bellicose | A person who is fond of fighting. |
6. | Belligerent | Engaged in war/ fight. |
7. | Benefactor | One who gives financial help to a school, hospital, etc. |
8. | Bibliophile | One who loves and collects books. |
9. | Biennial | That happens once in two years. |
10. | Biannual | That happens twice a year. |
11. | Bigamy | The custom of having two wives or two husbands. |
12. | Bigot | One who is filled with narrow and prejudiced opinions. |
13. | Bilingual | One who can speak. |
14. | Biography | The life history of a man written by someone else. |
15. | Biped | An animal which two-feet. |
16. | Blasphemy | Speaking inadvertently about god or sacred things. |
17. | Bliss | Perfect happiness. |
18. | Bohemian | One who does not follow the usual norms of social life. |
19. | Bookworm/ Bibliophilic | One who is interested in reading books and nothing else. |
20. | Boorish | A person who is rough and ill-mannered. |
21. | Botany | The science of vegetable life. |
22. | Brittle | A thing that can be easily broken. |
23. | Bureaucracy | A government by the officials. |
One Word Substitution with Letter C
Serial No. | One Word Substitution | Meaning |
1. | Cabaret | A series of a type of dance performances. |
2. | Cabby, cab driver | The driver of a taxi cab. |
3. | Cacophony | Harsh sound. |
4. | Cajole | Persuade by flattery. |
5. | Calligraphy | Art of beautiful handwriting. |
6. | Cannibal | That eats one’s own species. |
7. | Catacomb | An underground place where people are buried/ a complex set of interrelated things. |
8. | Capsize | Overturn in water. |
9. | Carnage | The killing of large numbers of people. |
10. | Carnival | Public merry-making and feasting. |
11. | Cartography | Art of map-making. |
12. | Catalogue | List of books and other articles. |
13. | Celibate | One who has taken a vow not to have sex. |
14. | Cemetery | The place for corpses to the buried. |
15. | Centenary | Hundredth anniversary |
16. | Chronological | According to the sequence of time. |
17. | Circumlocution | A roundabout way of expression. |
18. | Cloakroom | The place for the luggage is at a railway station. |
19. | Coerce | Compel to a course of action. |
20. | Cognate | Having the same source or origin. |
21. | Colleagues | Persons working in the same department. |
22. | Collusion | A secret agreement for a fraudulent purpose. |
23. | Conflagration | Huge destructive fire. |
24. | Congregation | Gathering of worshippers. |
25. | Congruent | Identical in all respects. |
One Word Substitution with Letter C: Part 2
Serial No. | One Word Substitution | Meaning |
1. | Connoisseur | One who is well-versed in any subject/ art. |
2. | Conscription | Compulsory enlistment for military or other services. |
3. | Contagious | Which spreads by physical touch or contact. |
4. | Contemporary | At the same time. |
5. | Contiguous | Two countries or states touching a common boundary |
6. | Contrite | Showing deep sorrow for wrongdoing. |
7. | Convalescence | The period of the gradual recovery of health after illness. |
8. | Conventicle | Secret and illegal religious meetings. |
9. | Coquette | A seductive woman who uses her sex appeal to exploit men. |
10. | Coronation | Ceremony of crowing a king. |
11. | Cosmopolitan | A person who feels at home |
12. | Credulous | One who is simple and easily believes whatever is told to him. |
13. | Crematory | The place for corpses to be burnt. |
14. | Cripple | Someone who is unable to walk normally because of an injury or disability to the legs or back. |
15. | Curfew | An order that certain activities/movements are prohibited. |
16. | Cynosure | Centre of attraction. |
One Word Substitution with Letter D
Serial No | One Word Substitution | Meaning |
1. | Dead | A language that is no longer spoken. |
2. | Demagogue | A political leader who delivers sentimental speeches. |
3. | Democracy | A government by the people, of the people, and for the people. |
4. | Denizen | A person, an animal or a plant that lives, grows or is often found in a particular place. |
5. | Depraved | Morally bad or evil. |
6. | Deprecate | Express earnest disapproval of. |
7. | Dermatology | The medical study of the skin and its diseases. |
8. | Despondency | Loss of complete hope. |
9. | Destitution | Lacking basic necessities of life. |
10. | Detrimental | Causing harm or damage |
11. | Dexterous | Skillful at handling things. |
12. | Diatribe | Bitter and violent attack in words or writing. |
13. | Dictatorship | The government is carried on by an absolute ruler. |
14. | Diplomacy | The skill and politicians/ skill in dealing with people. |
15. | Discrepancy | Difference between two things that should be the same. |
16. | Dissimulate | To hide or disguise. |
17. | Diurnal | Of the daytime. |
18. | Draper | A shopkeeper selling cloth and clothing. |
19. | Draw | The result of the match where neither party wins. |
20. | Dwarf | A person, plant, or animal who/ which is below the usual size. |
21. | Dynasty | A succession of rulers belonging to one family. |
One Word Substitution with Letter E
Serial No | One Word Substitutions | Meaning |
140. | Eavesdropper | One who witnesses secretly private conversation. |
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. | Equalitarianism | Belief that all people are equal and have the same rights and opportunities. |
145. | Egoist | Selfish |
146. | Eligible | Fit to be chosen; qualified. |
147. | Emergency | A sudden serious situation requiring immediate action. |
148. | Emeritus | One who is honorably 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 | A person is fond of delicious food. |
152. | Epidemic | A disease affecting many people at the same place and time |
153. | Epilogue | A speech or a poem is recited at the end of a play. |
154. | Episode | Part of the story (especially T.V. or Radio show story) |
155. | Episodic | Happening only sometimes and irregularly. |
156. | Epistle | A letter. |
157. | Epitaph | Words that are inscribed on the grave. |
158. | Epithet | Adjectives are added to a person’s name usually to criticize or praise him. |
159. | Epitome | A perfect example |
160. | Epitomize | To be a perfect example. |
Serial No | One Word Substitutions | Meaning |
161 | Equanimity | The 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 forever…… without any beginning or end. |
166 | Etymology | Science deals with the 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 | The public activity takes place in a very elaborate, colorful and expensive way. |
One Word Substitution with Letter F
Serial No | One Word Substitutions | Meaning |
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 | 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. |
184 | Fluke | Stroke of good luck. |
185 | Forgery | Counterfeiting of the 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. |
One Word Substitution with Letter G
Serial No | One Word Substitutions | Meaning |
189 | Gallery | A room or building for showing works of art |
190 | Gamble | To play games of chance, etc. For money. |
191 | Genocide | Extermination of a race or community |
192 | Geology | The Science of earth’s history and rocks. |
193 | Germicide | A substance that kills germs. |
194 | Glutton | One who eats too much. |
195 | Gobble | Eat fast, noisily, and greedily. |
196 | Gratis/ Gratuitous | Done or obtained without payment. |
197 | Gregarious | Animals that live in flocks. |
198 | Gastronomy | Science and arts of preparing and appreciating good food. |

The Article written by the indoGeeks Team is well researched from different sources. Do let us know any typo or other kind of error by commenting down below. It will help us to make this internet a good and error-free source of information for the community.