Vocabulary

 

300 ONE WORD SUBSTITUTION

                                                                                                   ~Supreet Kaur

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

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 skilful 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.

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

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.

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

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)

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.