What does omniscient mean?
Omniscient is an adjective meaning all-knowing: it describes someone or something that has complete knowledge, or a perspective that reveals information about every character and event. Its most familiar use is in literary description, as in an omniscient narrator, whose narration can move between characters and disclose their private thoughts. The term also has a theological use for the all-knowing quality attributed to God. In everyday conversation, “omniscient” can suggest that a person knows everything, sometimes humorously or critically. The word is related to omniscience, the noun for complete knowledge, and comes from Latin omnisciens, meaning “all-knowing.”
adjectiveHaving knowledge of everything, or able to know all things. In literary and theological contexts, it describes an all-knowing perspective or being.
- Having knowledge of everything.
- In theology, belonging to or describing a being or perspective that possesses complete knowledge.
"The novel shifts between the characters' limited perspectives and an omniscient narrator who reveals what each of them conceals."
"The story is narrated by an omniscient voice that moves effortlessly between different characters."
"The argument rests on an omniscient assumption that no relevant evidence can remain outside the investigation."
An omniscient narrator knows more than any single character can—and can keep the secrets of several lives in view at once.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does omniscient come from?
The adjective comes from Latin omnisciens, formed from omnis (“all”) and the present participle sciens (“knowing”), from scire (“to know”). English borrowed the form in the 17th century. Its close relatives include omniscience, a noun meaning complete knowledge, and prescience, a related word for foreknowledge.
Related word forms
How omniscient is actually used
The word is most common in literary criticism and theology. In ordinary discussion, it may be used figuratively for a person who appears to know everything, often with a slightly critical or ironic tone.
Easily confused with omniscient
Omniscient means knowing everything, whereas omnipotent means having unlimited power.
Omniscient is an adjective; omniscience is the noun meaning the state or quality of knowing everything.