One Word Substitution | English Grammar

Looking to level up your English grammar and vocabulary for Kerala PSC? Mastering one word substitutions is a game-changer. 

These clever shortcuts not only make your writing more concise but also showcase a deeper understanding of the language.

Whether you're studying for an exam or just want to sound more articulate, our guide to one-word substitutions will help you expand your vocabulary and improve your scores with targeted practice.


List of One Word Substitution for Kerala PSC

A


  • Abbreviation = shortened form of a word or a phrase.
  • Abdication = voluntary renouncing throne.
  • Abolish = do away with wholly.
  • Aborigines = original inhabitants of a country.
  • Abridged = an edition a book in which it has been condensed.
  • Abyss = a deep or seemingly bottomless space.
  • Accelerate = to increase the speed; to hasten the progress of.
  • Accessible = which can be approached.
  • Acclimatize = to accustom oneself in new climate.
  • Accomplice = a partner in crime.
  • Accountable = liable to be called to account.
  • Acquaint = make oneself familiar with a person or a thing.
  • Acquittal = the act of freeing a person from a charge by verdict.
  • Actuary = one who calculates premium.
  • Adage = a brief statement that expresses a general truth, or a common saying or observation. (Police Constable, 2023)
  • Adolescence = the period between childhood and adulthood.
  • Adulteration = to falsify a thing by admixture or baser ingredients.
  • Aggravate = to increase the gravity of an offence or the intensity of a disease.
  • Aggressor = a person who attacks first.
  • Agnostic = one who doubts the existence of god.
  • Alien = one who resides in a country of which he is not a citizen.
  • Alienate = to turn friends in enemies.
  • Alimony = allowance paid to wife on legal separation.
  • Altruist = a person who works for the good of others. (Beat Forest Officer, 2016)
  • Amateur = a man who does a thing for pleasure but not as a profession. (L.D.Clerk ( Kannada & Malayalam Knowing), 2019)
  • Ambassador = a person representing a state in a foreign country.
  • Ambidexterity = the ability to use both hands with equal skill and dexterity.
  • Ambidextrous = of a person who can use both hands equally well.
  • Ambiguous = a sentence whose meaning is unclear / a word having double meaning.
  • Ambitious = having strong desire to succeed.
  • Ambivalent = having opposing feelings.
  • Amnesia = loss of memory.
  • Amnesty = general pardon.
  • Amphibian = a land animal that breeds in water.
  • Anarchy = absence of law and order. (Woman Police Constable NCA, 2016; Lift Operator 2016)
  • Anarchist = one who is out to subvert a government.
  • Anecdote = a short narration of a incident of private life. (Lift Operator, 2016)
  • Anniversary = the yearly return of a date.
  • Anomaly = deviation from common rule
  • Anonymous = a book written by an unknown author.
  • Answerable = a person liable to be called to account for his action.
  • Antedate = to date before the true time.
  • Anteroom = a room leading into a large hall. (Lift Operator 2016; LD Clerk 2016)
  • Anthropology = study of mankind.
  • Antidote = a medicine to counteract the effect of another medicine.
  • Antiseptic = a medicine that prevents decomposing.
  • Antonym = a word opposite in meaning to another.
  • Aphasia = loss of speech.
  • Apostate = one who abandons his religious faith.
  • Appreciate = to rise in value.
  • Aquarium = vessel in which fish and water plants are kept.
  • Aquatic = animals that live in water.
  • Arbitrator = a person appointed by parties to settle the disputes between them. (Degree Level Prelims, 2023)
  • Archaic = used in ancient times but no longer in general use now. (LD Clerk Various, 2017)
  • Archaeology = a study of ancient things.
  • Architect = designer of buildings.
  • Arduous = needing much effort.
  • Aristocracy = a Government by the Nobles.
  • Armistice = the cessation of warfare before a treaty is signed.
  • Arsenal = a place where weapons and ammunitions are stored.
  • Ascetic = a person who renounces the world and practices self discipline in order to attain salvation.
  • Astronomy = branch of science that deals with the study of heavenly bodies. (Jr Assistant /  Cashier / Assistant Gr II / Clerk Gr I, KSFE, 2018)
  • Astronomer = a person who studies about the Sun, the Moon, Stars and the Universe. (LD Clerk/ Accountant/Cashier/ Clerk Cum Accountant, 2024)
  • Atheist = a person who does not believe in the existence of God. (Woman Police Constable, 2025)
  • Audible = sound which can be heard.
  • Audience = an assembly of hearers at a lecture or concert.
  • Auditor = one who makes an official examination of accounts.
  • Aurist = a specialist with regard to ear.
  • Autobiography = the life history of a man written by himself. (Eligibility Test Lab Assistant, KHSE, 2019)
  • Autocracy = a Government by one person with absolute power.
  • Autograph = getting signature of some important person in his handwriting.
  • Avaricious = of a person extremely desirous of money.
  • Avenue = a wide road with trees on either side.
  • Aviary = the place where birds are kept. (Food Safety Officer, 2015)

B


  • Bachelorhood = state of being unmarried.
  • Bankrupt = one who can’t pay the debts.
  • Barista = a person who prepares and sells coffee.  (Clerk (Kannada & Malayalam Knowing), 2024)
  • Behead = cut off the head.
  • Bellicose = one who is fond of fighting.
  • Belligerents = nations engaged in war.
  • Bibliophile = a person who loves books. (Assistant Salesman, 2025)
  • Biannual = twice a year.
  • Biennial = happening every second year.
  • Bigamy = practice of having two wives or husbands.
  • Bigot = one who has narrow and prejudiced religious views.
  • Bilingual = a person who speaks two languages.
  • Biography = a life history written by somebody else.
  • Biology = the science which treats with life.
  • Biped = animal having two feet.
  • Blasphemy = speaking disrespectfully about sacred or religious things.
  • Bookworm = one who devotes full time in studying course books.
  • Botany = the branch of biology dealing with plant life.
  • Boutique = a small shop that sells fashionable clothes, cosmetics, accessories etc. (Sr Superintendent / Assistant Treasury Officer/ Sub Treasury Officer & Section Officer, 2022)
  • Brittle = hard but liable to be easily broken.
  • Bullion = gold or silver before using for manufacturing ornaments.
  • Bumkin = a rustic or unsophisticated person.
  • Bureaucracy = a Government by the officials.

C

    • Caddy = a small box in which tea is kept.
    • Caducity = the infirmity of old age.
    • Calligraphy = the art of beautiful hand writing / elegant penmanship. (Assistant/ Cashier, LD Clerk, 2024)
    • Callous = a man devoid of kind feeling and sympathy.
    • Cannibal = of a man or animal that feeds on its own species.
    • Carnivorous = a flesh eating animal.
    • Catalogue = a list of books.
    • Celibacy = abstinence from sex.
    • Celibate = one who is unmarried.
    • Cemetery = a place for burial of dead bodies.
    • Centenarian = a person who is above hundred years.
    • Centenary = celebration of a hundredth year, once –a-century.
    • Centripetal = anything tending to move away from centre.
    • Chiropodist / Podiatrist = One who treats minor disorders of the feet. (Fireman Trainee, 2017)
    • Chore = difficult and unpleasant task.
    • Cobbler = one who repairs shoes. (Confidential Assistant Gr.II, 2016)
    • Colleague = a co-worker or a fellow-worker in the same institution.
    • Collusion = secret agreement or cooperation for a deceitful purpose.
    • Commiserate = to condole with. (LD Clerk (By transfer), 2017)
    • Compatriot = belong to same country.
    • Congenital = belonging or pertaining to an individual from birth.
    • Congregation = an assembly of worshippers.
    • Conjurer = a person who does clever tricks which appear magical.  (Clerk Tamil & Kannada knowing, 2024)
    • Connoisseur = an expert judge in matters of taste.
    • Conscription = compulsory enlistment for military or i\other service.
    • Contemplate = think about something for a long time. (Lab Assistant, HSE, 2018)
    • Contemporaries = people living at the same time.
    • Contemporary = belonging to the same period of time.
    • Convalescent = a person who is recovering from an illness.
    • Cosmology = science of origin of universe.
    • Cosmopolitan = one who can make himself at home in all countries.
    • Cosmopolite = a citizen of the world.
    • Couplet = a stanza having two lines in verse.
    • Credulous = a person who readily believes whatever is told to him/her.
    • Cryptography = study of secret writing and coded words.

    D


    • Dead letter = an unclaimed letter.
    • Deaf = one who cannot hear.
    • Debar = prevent a person from admission or a right.
    • Debacle = a sudden complete failure. (Steno-Typist / Clerk Typist/Typist Gr II/ LD Typist/ Confidential Assistant, 2024)
    • Debut = first appearance in public as a performer. (Degree Level Prelims, 2025)
    • Declamation = act or art of rhetorical exercise.
    • Delegate = authorizing a person to represent someone.
    • Democracy = government of the people, for the people, by the people.
    • Demonstration = show of force to intimidate.
    • Depreciate = to go down in value.
    • Dermatology = study of skin.
    • Desert = where neither water nor vegetation is found.
    • Deteriorate = to go from bad to worse.
    • Dictatorship = government carried on by an absolute ruler.
    • Dictionary = a book dealing with words in alphabetical order.
    • Dieting = a small allowance of food to become slim.
    • Digestible = that which can be digested.
    • Digress = to wander away from the main point.
    • Dipsomania = a strong desire to take liquor.
    • Disenfranchisement = to take away some one.
    • Divisible = that which can be divided.
    • Dock = a place where ships are loaded or unloaded or repaired.
    • Dotage = extreme old age when one behaves like a child.
    • Draw = a game in which neither party wins.
    • Drawn = tie A game or batter in which neither party wins.
    • Drought = continuous dry weather and lack of rain and water.
    • Dumb = one who cannot speak.Dutch Courage = courage excited by wine. (Administrative Officer, KSRTC, 2015)

    E


      • Eavesdrop = to listen secretly to a private conversation. (Village Field Assistant, 2025)
      • Eccentric = one who has strange habits.
      • Ecology = study of the interaction of people with their environment. (Civil Excise Officer, 2014)
      • Edible = a thing that is fit to be eaten.
      • Effeminate = a man showing feminine attributes; lacking traits associated with masculinity.
      • Efficacious = sure to produce desired results.
      • Egotist = a person who always thinks of himself; a person who is excessively conceited.
      • Eligible = one who is qualifies for election.
      • Elucidate = to explain something mysterious or difficult.
      • Embezzlement = misappropriation of money.
      • Emigrant = a person who leaves his own country to settle in another. (Assistant Transport Officer KSRTC (By Transfer), 2015)
      • Emissary = a person sent on an official mission.
      • Emphasize = to lay special stress on.
      • Employer = one who employs.
      • Endemic = a disease prevailing in a locality.
      • Entomology = study of insects.
      • Epic = a long narrative poem.
      • Epicure = somebody who has refined taste for food.
      • Epidemic = a contagious disease which spreads over a huge area.
      • Epilogue = a speech given after conclusion of drama.
      • Epistle = verse in form of a letter.
      • Epitaph = inscription on a tombstone.
      • Equestrian = a person who rides on horse-back.
      • Equilibrium = a state of perfect balance.
      • Eradicate = destroy or get rid of something completely; root out.
      • Erudite = having or showing great knowledge.
      • Essential = thing without which we cannot do.
      • Ethnology = a study of races.
      • Etiquette = established rules of conduct.
      • Etymology = the study of the origin and history of words. (Lab Assistant, KHSE 2016; VEO, 2019)
      • Examinee = one who is taking examination.
      • Examiner = one who examine the copies of examinees.
      • Exile = expel someone from their native country.
      • Exonerate = free somebody from blame or guilt.
      • Expatriate = to send out of native country.
      • Expiation = the act of making amends / deliberate suffering for one's sin. (Jr. Assistant/Cashier, KSEB, 2015)
      • Expurgate = to remove all objectionable matter.
      • Extempore = a speech delivered without any previous preparation.
      • Extradite = to send back the criminal to the country.


      F

        • Facsimile = an exact copy.
        • Fanatic = one who is filled with excessive and mistaken enthusiasm in religious matters. (Jr. Employment Officer, 2017)
        • Fastidious = a person difficult to please.
        • Fatal = anything that leads to death.
        • Fatalist = a person who believes in fate.
        • Femicide =  the killing of women and girls because of their gender. (Woman Fire & Rescue Officer Trainee, 2025)
        • Feminist = one who supports the claims of women for rights.
        • Foregone = something that has been determined beforehand.
        • Forgery = falsification of documents etc.
        • Foster child = child brought by persons, who are not his parents.
        • Franchise = constitutional right to cast vote.
        • Fratricide = the murder or murderer of brother or sister.


        G

          • Galaxy = irregular luminous band of stars.
          • Gallery = a room or building for showing works of art.
          • Gamble = play games of chance for money, especially for high stakes. (Armed Police SI (Trainee), 2017)
          • Garage = a shed for motor car.
          • Gazette = a government publication relating to order, notification.
          • Genocide = mass murder. (Jr. Lab Assistant / House Keeper (Female), Health Services, 2017)
          • Geology = study of Earth.
          • Geologist = one who studies about rocks and soils. (LDC Various, 2016)
          • Germicide = a medicine that kills germs.
          • Glossary = a long list of words with their meaning.
          • Glutton = one who eats too much.
          • Grammar = art and science dealing with a language.
          • Granary = a store house for a threshed grain.
          • Gratis = without payment.
          • Gregarious = of animals living in flocks.
          • Gullible = one who is easily deceived.


          H

            • Hangar = a place for housing aeroplanes. (Legal Assistant, 2024) 
            • Harangue = a noisy and loud speech before a long gathering.
            • Hearse = vehicle to carry coffin.
            • Hedonist = one who lives for pleasure.
            • Herbivorous = a grass eating animal.
            • Heritage = what is got from ancestors.
            • Heterogeneous = things of different nature. (Muncipal Secretary Gr III, 2015)
            • Histology = study of tissue.
            • Homicide = murder of a human being.
            • Homogeneous = things of same nature.
            • Honey moon = the first night of newly married couple.
            • Honorary = a position for which no salary is paid.
            • Horizon = the point where the earth and sky seem to meet.
            • Hospitable = fond of entertaining guests.
            • Hostility = intense aggression or anger state of antagonism.
            • Humanitarian = one who feels sympathetic towards human beings.
            • Hung parliament = assembly or parliament in which no party has got clear majority.
            • Hutch = a place where rabbits are kept.
            • Hydra = a serpent with many heads.
            • Hydrophobia = fear of water.
            • Hypocrite = one who pretends to be what he is not.
            • Hypothesis = a tentative assumption.



            I

              • Iconoclast = breaker of art and literature.
              • Idiosyncrasy = a person’s peculiar habit.
              • Idolatry = worship of idols.
              • Ignorant = person having no knowledge of any happening.
              • Ignoramus = an ignorant person especially one pretending to have knowledge. (Women Police Constable NCA, 2015)
              • Illegal = that which is against law.
              • Illegible = a handwriting that cannot be read.
              • Illegitimate = a child born out of wedlock.
              • Illicit = that is prohibited by law.
              • Illiterate = a person who cannot read or write.
              • Illusion = false perception of a sensory experience.
              • Imitable = which can be imitated.
              • Immigrant = one who lives in a foreign country.
              • Immovable = which cannot be moved, fixed.
              • Impenetrable = incapable of being penetrated.
              • Imperceptible = that which cannot be noticed.
              • Impracticable = that which cannot be practiced.
              • Impregnable = incapable of being seized by attack.
              • Improbable = that which is not likely to happen.
              • Inaccessible = incapable of being reached.
              • Inadmissible = incapable of being admitted or allowed.
              • Inanimate = without life.
              • Inaudible = a sound that cannot be heard.
              • Incombustible = incapable of being burnt.
              • Incomprehensible = a statement which cannot be understood.
              • Incorrigible = one who cannot be corrected.
              • Incredible = that which cannot be believed.
              • Incurable = that which cannot be cured.
              • Indefatigable = one incapable of being tired.
              • Indefensible = that which cannot be defended.
              • Indescribable = that which cannot be described.
              • Indestructible = incapable of being destroyed.
              • Indispensable = something that is essential and cannot be dispensed with
              • Indivisible = incapable of being divided.
              • Indoor = something carried on within door or under cover.
              • Ineligible = not being able to be elected or selected under the rules.
              • Inevitable = a thing that cannot be avoided.  (HST English, 2025)
              • Inexcusable = incapable of being justified.
              • Inexhaustible = incapable of being tired out.
              • Inexplicable = that which cannot be explained.
              • Inexplicit = not definitely or clearly expressed.
              • Inexpressible = incapable of being expressed in words.
              • Infallible = a remedy which never fails.
              • Infamous = being well known in a notorious way. (Security Officer, Universities, 2023)
              • Infanticide = the act of killing an infant.
              • Infection = a disease spread by contact.
              • Infinite = not limited by person or number.
              • Inflammable = something that is quickly and easily set on fire and burned
              • Inimitable = a method that cannot be imitated.
              • Insatiable = that which cannot be satisfied.
              • Insecticide = that which kill insects.
              • Insoluble = incapable of being dissolved in a liquid.
              • Insolvent = one who is unable to pay his debts.
              • Insomnia = loss of sleep.
              • Insurmountable = incapable of being overcome.
              • Interpolate = inserting new matter in a book.
              • Intervene = anything pushed inside veins.
              • Intestate = one who dies without a Will.
              • Introspection = to examine one's own thoughts and feelings. (Data Entry Operator, 2016)
              • Invincible = that which cannot be conquered or defeated / too powerful to be defeated or overcome. (High School Assistant English, 2015)
              • Invisible = a thing that cannot be seen with human eyes.
              • Invulnerable = that which cannot be hurt.
              • Irreconcilable = incapable of being reconciled.
              • Irrecoverable = incapable of recovered, regained.
              • Irrelevant = not applicable.
              • Irreparable = a loss of damage that cannot be compensated.
              • Irrevocable = that cannot be altered or withdrawn.
              • Irritable = a man who is easily irritated.
              • Itinerant = one who travels from place to place.
              • Itinerary = a planned route or journey, details of travel.


              J

              • Jail = a place where prisoners are kept.
              • Jurisdiction = the area over which an official has control. 
              • Juvenile = anything which relates to young and youth.

              K

              • Kangaroo = an animal of Australia with great leaping power.
              • Kidnap = to carry away a person forcibly.
              • Kindergarten = a school for small children.
              • Kleptomania = an abnormal desire to steal.

              L

                • Larder = one word substitute for a room where the food supplies of a household are kept. (Computer Assistant Gr II, 2016)
                • Laisez-faire = non interference by government in trade, commerce, industry etc
                • Legal = that which is lawful.
                • Limnologist = one who studies rivers.
                • Linguist = one who knows many languages.
                • Locust = a kind of winged insect migrating in swarms and consuming vegetation.
                • Logic = the science of reasoning.
                • Loquacious = a continuous talker.
                • Lunar = eclipse of Moon.


                M

                • Maiden Speech = first Speech. (Sergeant (NCA), 2015; Woman Police Constable (NCA), 2016; Lift Operator 2016)
                • Mammals = animals which give milk.
                • Manuscript = handwritten book.
                • Martyr = a person who died for the sake of his country.
                • Martyrdom = the death of someone who has sacrificed their life for a noble cause.
                • Masochism = the tendency to derive sexual gratification from one’s own pain or humiliation.
                • Masterpiece = best among one's work.
                • Materialistic = one for whom money is the most important thing.
                • Matinee = a cinema show which is held in the afternoon.
                • Matins = morning prayer in Church.
                • Matricide = killing of one’s own mother; killer of one’s own mother.
                • Matrimony = state of being married.
                • Maxim = brief statement of a general truth, principle, or rule for behavior.
                • Meadow = a low level tract of uncultivated grassland.
                • Medieval = belonging to the Middle Ages.
                • Mediocre = one who is neither intelligent nor dull. (Village Assistant, 2017)
                • Meditation = continuous and profound contemplation on spiritual matters.
                • Melodrama = an extravagant comedy in which action is more salient than characterization.
                • Mercenary = one who can do anything for money.
                • Mesomorph = a person whose build is powerful, Compact and muscular.
                • Meticulous = very particular even about small details.
                • Migratory = moving from one place to another.
                • Mishap = an unfortunate accident. (LD Clerk, 2016)
                • Misanthrope = one who hates mankind (Deputy Manager, 2023)
                • Misanthropist = a person who hates and avoids other people. (Special Branch Assistant, 2022; Assistant Salesman, Civil Supplies Corp., 2016)
                • Misogamist = someone who hates marriage. (Sales Assistant Gr II, 2024)
                • Misogynist = a person who hates woman. (Woman Police Constable, 2017)
                • Misologist = a hater of learning and knowledge.
                • Mobocracy = rule by the mob.
                • Modus operandi = a particular way of doing something.
                • Monarchy = A government by a King or a Queen. (Woman Police Constable (NCA), 2018)
                • Monogamy = practice of having one wife  or husband.
                • Mortal = subject to death.
                • Mortify = to cause (someone) to feel ashamed.
                • Muse = goddess of learning and arts.
                • Myth = purely fictitious narrative usually involving supernatural being etc.


                N

                • Namesake = somebody or something with the same name as somebody or something else.
                • Narcotic = medicine which induces sleep.
                • Native = one whose parents are domiciled.
                • Naughty = a badly behaved child.
                • Neologism = new word coined by an author.
                • Neophyte = one who is a newcomer.
                • Notary = person publically authorized to draw up or attest contracts etc.
                • Notorious = a person with an evil reputation.
                • Novation (legal) = substitution of existing contract for a new one. (Civil Excise Officer, 2014)
                • Novice = a person who is still learning and who is without experience. (Field Assistant, 2017)
                • Numismatics = science of coins or medals.
                • Nutritive = article of food rich in nutrition.


                O

                • Oasis = fertile spot in desert.
                • Obesity = having lot of fat in one’s body.
                • Obituary = a notice of death in a newspaper.
                • Obsolete = a thing no longer in use.
                • Oceanography = study of ocean.
                • Odontology = study of teeth.
                • Oligarchy = a country which is governed by a small group of people. (Aeromodelling Helper Sergeant, 2017; Jr. Lab Assistant / House Keeper (Female), Health Services, 2017)
                • Ombudsman = an impartial person who watches for administrative abuses inside organizations. (Village Field Assistant, 2017)
                • Omnipotent = all-powerful; possessing complete power and authority.
                • Omnipresent = one who is present everywhere.
                • Omniscient = a person who knows everything.
                • Omnivorous = an animal or a human being that eats any kind of food.
                • Oncology = study and treatment of tumors.
                • Oology = study of eggs.
                • Opaque = that through which light cannot pass.
                • Ophthalmology = study of eyes.
                • Ophthalmologist = to attend to the diseases of the eye. (Degree Prelims Level Stage I, 2021)
                • Optic = science of sight and light.
                • Optics = study of light.
                • Optimist = one who hopes for the best. (LDC Various, 2016)
                • Orator = one who makes an eloquent public speech.
                • Ordnance = a factory where military materials are produced.
                • Orchard = a place where fruit-trees are grown.
                • Oriental = a person of Asian, especially East Asian, descent.
                • Ornithology = the study of birds. (Confidential Assistant Gr.II, 2016)
                • Orography = study of mountains.
                • Orphan = a person without father and mother.
                • Orphanage = a place where orphans live.
                • Orthodox = one who believes in traditional values.
                • Orthography = study of correct spelling of words.
                • Orthopaedics = a branch of medicine concerned with diseases of the bones and muscles of human body.  (Store Keeper, 2016)
                • Ostracize = to expel from society.
                • Ostrich = a large bird reputed to bury its head in sand when pursued.
                • Outcast = cast out as useless.

                P

                • Pandemic = a disease outbreak that spreads across a wide geographic area.
                • Pantry = a room where the food supplies of a household are kept. (Computer Assistant, 2016)
                • Pathology = a scientific study of diseases. (Male Warden NCA 2016; VEO, 2019)
                • Pauper = a person who has no money. (Degree Prelims Stage III, 2024)
                • Pedlar (UK) = one who walks in the streets and sells small articles.  (Assistant Jailor, 2015; Lift Operator, 2016)
                  • Peddler (USA) = a person who sells illegal drugs or illicit goods / one who walks in the streets and sells small articles.
                  • (Almost same meaning; but two different spellings for the same word)
                • Pedology = the scientific study of soil. (Jr. Assistant Plantation Corp., 2016; Woman Police Constable NCA, 2016; Lift Operator 2016)
                • Penury = great poverty.
                • Philanthropist = one who is engaged in charity works (Junior Assistant, 2023) / a person who loves mankind. (Assistant /Clerk, Company/corp., 2013)
                • Philately = the collection and study of postage stamps.
                • Philatelist = one who collects and studies postage stamps.
                • Polyandry = The custom of having more than one husband at the same time. (LD Clerk Various, 2017)
                • Polyglot = a person who is proficient in multiple languages.
                • Polymath = a person whose expertise spans a significant no. of different subject areas.
                • Posthumus = a child born after the death of the father.
                • Pseudonym = the pen name adopted by a writer. (Sergeant, 2015)

                Q
                • Quid pro quo = something given in return for something received. (Deputy Manager, 2023)

                R
                • Regicide = murder of a King. (VEO Gr.II, 2016)
                • Rendezvous = a meeting in an agreed time and place. (Deputy Collector, 2019)

                S
                • Sangfroid = an ability to stay calm in difficult situations. (Junior Assistant/ Assistant Gr II/ EDP Assistant, 2022)
                • Scapegoat = a person blamed for someone else's wrongs (Degree Level Prelims Stage II, 2025)  / a person punished for the mistake of others. (Civil Police Officer, 2018)
                • Sceptic = a person who doubts in religious practices. (VEO, 2019)
                • Siesta = a rest or a sleep taken after lunch, especially in hot countries. (Jr Instructor (Stenographer & Secretarial Assistant- English), 2023)
                • Slander = false reports that damage the reputation of a person.
                • Somniloquent = one who talks in sleep. (LDC, 2017)
                • Spinster = an unmarried woman. (Field Assistant, Health Services, 2017)
                • Stupendous = extremely impressive.
                • Sty = a place where pigs are kept.
                • Swarm = a large group of insects moving in a mass. (Clerk Tamil & Kannada knowing, 2024)
                • Sycophant = a person who tries to gain people's favour by insincerely flattering them and agreeing with them. (Armed SI SR for ST, 2023)

                T
                • Tete-a-tete = a simple chat.
                • Tirade = a long angry speech of criticism or accusation.
                • Transliterate = Write words or letters in the letters of a different alphabet. (Assistant / Auditor-Govt Secretariat, 2018)
                • Trespassers = those who enter with out permission.
                • Truant = one who remains absent from duty without permission. (Legal Assistant, 2024) 
                • Turncoat = a person who changes from one side, party etc to another.
                • Twilight = Faint half light.

                V
                • Valedictorian = a  student with highest rank in a class. (Clerk (Kannada & Malayalam Knowing), 2024)
                • Vegan = a strict vegetarian who neither eats nor uses any animal products.
                • Venom = poison of snake.
                • Ventripotent = having a huge belly / gluttonous.
                • Verbatim = in exactly the same way as were used originally. (HST English, 2025)
                • Veteran = a person with long experience in a particular field. (Jr Instructor (Stenographer Secretarial Assistant), 2024)

                W
                • Widower = a man whose wife is dead. (VEO, 2019)

                Most of these one-word substitutions are taken either from previous year questions or from Kerala PSC bulletin.  Try to study these thoroughly because chances are high for PSC asking questions from this list. 


                Thanks for reading!!!