omniscient
omniscient
Pronunciation
/ɒmˈnɪʃənt/
om: /ɒm/ - a short "o" as in "hot," followed by an "m" sound.
ni: /nɪ/ - a short "i" as in "bit," preceded by an "n" sound.
scient: /ˈʃənt/ - a "sh" sound as in "ship," followed by a schwa sound (ə) as in "about," a nasal "n" sound, and a "t" sound.
Word Form Variations
omniscient (adjective): This is the base form, describing someone or something that has complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding. Example: The omniscient narrator knew all the characters' thoughts.
omniscience (noun): This is the noun form, referring to the state of being omniscient; all-knowingness. Example: The concept of divine omniscience is central to many religions.
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Adjective: omniscient
Definition: Possessing or exhibiting complete, unlimited, and exhaustive knowledge or understanding of all things. Aware of everything that has happened, is happening, or will happen.
Synonyms: all-knowing, all-seeing, prescient, knowing, wise, perceptive, insightful, sagacious, erudite, comprehensive, unlimited in knowledge, having complete awareness
Antonyms: ignorant, unknowing, uninformed, unaware, clueless, limited in knowledge, fallible, imperfectly informed, nescience (referring to the general state of lacking knowledge)
Example: The omniscient narrator knew the secret desires of every character.
Noun: omniscience
Definition: The state or quality of being omniscient; unlimited knowledge or understanding. The capacity to know everything.
Synonyms: all-knowingness, all-seeingness, prescience, complete knowledge, universal knowledge, perfect knowledge, infinite wisdom, comprehensive understanding
Antonyms: ignorance, unknowingness, nescience, limited knowledge, fallibility, imperfect understanding
Example: The concept of divine omniscience is often debated in theological circles.
Note: "Omniscient" does not have standard verb or adverb forms in common usage.
Examples of Use
Literature/Books:
"The narrator, an omniscient presence, guided the reader through the complex relationships of the characters." (This is a common trope in fiction, where the narrator has access to all characters' thoughts and feelings.) While I can't cite a specific book using this exact phrasing (as it's a general description of a narrative technique), you'll find similar descriptions in literary analyses and reviews. Look for discussions of "third-person omniscient" point of view.
"He grappled with the concept of divine omniscience, wondering how free will could exist alongside a God who knew all." (This type of use is frequent in philosophical and theological texts.) Again, this is a general example of the kind of discussion found in these fields.
News/Online Publications:
"The article presented an almost omniscient view of the company's inner workings, revealing details that were previously unknown." (This implies the article had access to a great deal of information.) You'll find similar phrasing in investigative journalism.
"While some claim AI will become omniscient, experts argue that true omniscience is impossible." (This reflects discussions about the potential and limitations of artificial intelligence.) This is a common theme in tech articles and discussions about AI.
Entertainment (Movies/TV):
"The movie's narrator had an omniscient voice, filling in gaps in the story and revealing hidden connections." (Again, a common narrative device.) Many films use this technique, particularly those with a voice-over.
"The villain believed he was omniscient, but his arrogance ultimately led to his downfall." (This is a common trope in stories where characters with great power overestimate their knowledge.)
General Public Discourse:
"It's impossible to be omniscient about the future, no matter how much you plan." (This expresses a common understanding that no one can truly know everything that will happen.)
"She spoke with an air of omniscience, as if she had all the answers." (This describes someone who acts as if they are all-knowing, even if they are not.) You'll hear this kind of language in everyday conversations.
10 Famous Quotes Using Omniscient
“Wisdom grows when we stop pretending to be omniscient.” (Unknown)
“My mentor said leaders fail the moment they act omniscient.” (Unknown)
“History warns that rulers who claim to be omniscient are the most dangerous.” (Unknown)
“A poet wrote that love is not omniscient—it learns you slowly, beautifully.” (Unknown)
“Faith does not require us to be omniscient, only honest.” (Unknown)
“Communities thrive when no one pretends to be omniscient, and everyone commits to learning.” (Unknown)
“The illusion of being omniscient destroys curiosity.” (Unknown)
“Revolutions are born when the people realize their leaders are far from omniscient.” (Unknown)
“To grow, admit you are not omniscient—then seek what you do not know.” (Unknown)
“Hope endures because no one is omniscient enough to predict its limits.” (Unknown)
Etymology
"Omniscient" comes from two Latin words:
omni-: This means "all" or "every." Think of other words that use this prefix, like "omnivorous" (eating all kinds of food) or "omnipotent" (all-powerful).
scient: This comes from the Latin word "sciens," which is the present participle of "scire," meaning "to know." It's related to words like "science" and "conscious."
So, if you put those together, "omniscient" literally means "all-knowing" or "knowing everything."
The first known use of the word in English is a bit fuzzy to pinpoint with absolute certainty, as dictionaries don't always track the very first instance. However, it seems to have emerged in the 17th century, likely in theological and philosophical discussions where the concept of God's all-knowing nature was being explored. The idea itself, of course, is much older, going back to ancient philosophical and religious thought. The word "omniscient" simply provided a concise way to express it.
The meaning has remained consistent since its first use: possessing complete or unlimited knowledge. It's primarily used to describe God or a god in many religions, but it can also be used metaphorically to describe people who seem to know a great deal or narrators in stories who have access to all the characters' thoughts and feelings.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Omniscient
Phrases using "Omniscient" (Less Common, More Descriptive):
"with omniscient awareness" (This phrase emphasizes the completeness of knowledge.)
"an omniscient perspective" (This describes a viewpoint that encompasses all information.)
"the omniscient narrator" (A common literary term, as discussed before.)
"feigning omniscience" (Pretending to have complete knowledge.)
Expressing the Idea of Omniscience (More Common Idioms):
"to know something inside and out" (This expresses thorough knowledge, though not necessarily all knowledge.)
"to have all the answers" (Similar to the above, implying comprehensive knowledge within a specific context.)
"to be on top of everything" (This suggests a high level of awareness and control, close to the idea of omniscience in a practical sense.)
"to see the big picture" (This implies a broad understanding, though not necessarily complete knowledge of every detail.)
"to know something like the back of your hand" (Again, thorough knowledge, but within a limited scope.)
Creating Examples (Illustrative):
"He acted like he had an omniscient grasp of the situation, but he was quickly proven wrong." (This illustrates how "omniscient" might be used in a more narrative or descriptive context.)
"She spoke with an air of near-omniscience, which intimidated her colleagues." (This shows how the word can be used to describe someone who acts as if they are all-knowing.)
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of omniscient from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
