English Vocabulary

One word substitutes

One word may often express the idea of a phrase. Here are some common one word substitutes.

Epicure: somebody who is dedicated to sensual pleasure and luxury

Epidemic: an outbreak of a disease that spreads among a group of people quickly and extensively

Fanatic: somebody who has extreme and sometimes irrational enthusiasms or beliefs, especially in religion or politics

Feminist: a believer in women's rights

Herbivorous: an animal that eats only grass or other plants

Fratricide: the crime in which somebody kills his or her own brother

Matricide: the act of murdering one's own mother

Patricide: the act of murdering one's own father

Convalescence: the gradual return to good health after a period or illness or medical treatment

Endemic: a disease that occurs within a specified area, region or locale

Anarchist: a person who rejects the need for a system of government in society and proposes its abolition

Ambidextrous: a person who is able to use both hands with equal skill

Alimony: financial support to ex-wife

Amateur: a person who does something for pleasure rather than for pay

Aborigines: original inhabitants of a place

Circumlocution: the indirect way of saying something

Arbitrator: somebody designated to hear both sides of a dispute and make a judgment

Autocracy: rule by one person who holds unlimited power

Edible: fit for eating

Potable: fit for drinking

Belligerents: nations engaged in war

Fastidious: a person who is concerned that even the smallest details should be just right

Somnambulism: sleepwalking

Stoic: a person who is unaffected by emotions

Theist: a person who believes in the existence of God

Transparent: a substance that allows light to pass through with little or no interruption so that objects on the other side can be clearly seen

Verbatim: corresponding word for word translation

Prosecute: take legal action against somebody

Pugnacity: inclined to fight or be aggressive

Valetudinarian: somebody who is excessively concerned with his or her own health

Widower: a man whose wife has died

Widow: a woman whose husband has died

Polygamy: the custom of having more than one spouse at the same time

Polyandry: the custom of having more than one husband at the same time

Triennial: taking place once every three years

Usurer: somebody who loans money to other people and charges them exorbitant or unlawful interest on it

Usurper: a person who seize something without the right to do so

Philanthropist: a person who helps others, especially those who are poor and in trouble

Plutocracy: the rule of a society by its wealthiest people

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