omniscient

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "omniscient" is a real word that is used in written English.
It can be used to describe a person, god, or entity that has complete knowledge or awareness of everything. For example: "The omniscient being watched over the entire kingdom with a wise and knowing eye."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

When he arrived in March 2002, Herrington despaired to see that military and civilian interrogators had no idea who their new charges were, reversing the desired dynamic of the "omniscient" interrogator.

The Guardian

We will look at the subtleties between first and third person narratives, omniscient narratives, free indirect style, and reliable and unreliable narrators.

The Guardian

"Mapmakers have always claimed objectivity," he says, "and cartographers always imagine they're creating maps from some omniscient God-like position.

The Guardian

I was working (or at least trying to work) in the third person omniscient.

The Guardian - Books

How can the world manage, in the absence of a single, omniscient global regulator?A Euro-SEC The problEuro-SEC Thetably, most acute inside the Europroblemisn, whinevitablyking to construct a single financial mostet even while retacuteg natinsideregulathes.

The Economist

Felix writes about himself in the third person, too, noting in his final pages that "as always, the omniscient narrator had a very wobbly grasp of what was happening" —a contradiction and a challenge, both.Mr Carey, who has already won the Man Booker prize twice, for "Oscar and Lucinda" (1988) and "True History of the Kelly Gang" (2001)—should be in with a chance for a third prize next year.

The Economist

He believes consumers want to be omnipresent, omniscient and omnipotent, with the maximum comfort and freedom and with the minimum effort.

The Economist

The upshot of Dr Bourrat's and Dr Atkinson's analysis was that people whose religion includes an omniscient, judgmental god (Christians, Muslims and so on) regard the whole range of such transgressions more harshly than those, such as Buddhists, whose religion does not.

The Economist

PART of the appeal of conspiracy theories is that they are perversely reassuring, portraying, as they do, an omniscient government immune to error, forgetfulness and other human frailties.

The Economist

If too many politicians try the former the climatologist's prediction will be confirmed, which means the politicians were not omniscient either.

The Economist

Of course, omniscient sociologists might predict what the politicians would do, but as soon as the results get published, politicians will read them...The story of Jonah and the whale deals with this issue.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "omniscient" to describe a narrator in fiction who knows everything about the characters and events in the story. This creates a sense of authority and allows you to reveal information strategically.

Common error

Avoid using "omniscient" to describe characters or entities with merely vast knowledge. True omniscience implies a complete and perfect understanding of all things, past, present, and future. Otherwise, use words like "knowledgeable" or "well-informed."

Linguistic Context

The adjective "omniscient" primarily functions as a descriptor, attributing the quality of having complete and unlimited knowledge. Ludwig's examples demonstrate its use in describing narrators, deities, and even abstract concepts like regulators.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

30%

Encyclopedias

10%

Less common in

Formal & Business

5%

Reference

5%

Wiki

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "omniscient" is a grammatically correct adjective that means having complete or unlimited knowledge. Ludwig AI confirms its usage across various contexts, including literature, theology, and philosophical discussions. It is most commonly found in news and media, scientific writing, and encyclopedias. While "omniscient" is a powerful descriptor, it's important to use it accurately, avoiding its application to entities with limited perspectives. Consider alternatives like "all-knowing" or "supremely aware" when appropriate. The phrase is generally used in formal contexts.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

all-knowing

This is the closest synonym, directly implying complete knowledge.

infinitely knowledgeable

This phrase emphasizes the vastness of the knowledge possessed.

having unlimited knowledge

This highlights the boundless nature of the knowledge.

supremely aware

This focuses on the heightened state of awareness and understanding.

with complete understanding

This stresses the depth and thoroughness of comprehension.

possessing total insight

This refers to the capacity to perceive the true nature of things.

endowed with universal wisdom

This emphasizes the breadth and depth of wisdom.

exhibiting perfect perception

This emphasizes the flawlessness of the perceptive abilities.

all-seeing

Implies complete knowledge, but more from an observational perspective.

prescient

Focuses on knowing the future, a specific aspect of omniscience.

FAQs

How to use "omniscient" in a sentence?

You can use "omniscient" to describe a narrator who knows everything, as in, "The narrator had an "omniscient" point of view and revealed the character's innermost thoughts."

What does "omniscient" mean?

"Omniscient" means having complete or unlimited knowledge, awareness, or understanding; perceiving all things.

What can I say instead of "omniscient"?

You can use alternatives like "all-knowing", infinitely knowledgeable, or supremely aware.

Is "omniscient" only used in a religious context?

While "omniscient" is often used to describe God, it can also be used in literary contexts to describe a narrator or character with complete knowledge.