omnipresent
om-nih-PREZ-unt
/ˌɒmnɪˈpreznt/
Present everywhere at the same time.
Can be used literally (for a god) or figuratively (for something that seems to be everywhere, like a brand or a smell).
The story behind the word. From the Latin 'omnipraesentem', used in medieval theology to describe the nature of the divine. It entered general English use in the 1600s.
Word relationships
- ubiquitous: Ubiquitous is more common for physical objects or trends; omnipresent is more common for abstract forces or deities.
- pervasive: Pervasive suggests something that spreads through every part of something else, like a smell or an idea.
- rare: Seldom occurring or found.
- absent: Not present at all.
Commonly confused with
- omniscient: Omnipresent is about location (everywhere); omniscient is about knowledge (knowing everything).
Word family
- omnipresence (noun): The state of being everywhere at once.
Collocations
- omnipresent threat
- omnipresent influence
- omnipresent God
Example sentences
- "The smartphone has become an omnipresent feature of modern life." Describing modern technology.
- "In the forest, the sound of cicadas was omnipresent, a constant buzzing that filled the air." Describing nature.
Memory hook
Omni (all) + Present. It is present in all places. Everywhere at once.
When not to use
If something is just common, 'ubiquitous' is often a better fit than the more dramatic 'omnipresent'.
Fun facts
- In the 17th century, people used 'omnipresent' to describe the air itself.
Related words
Explore more words
ubiquitous, immanent, omnipotence, eternal, around the clock, constant
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