Meaning & use
omni
Last updated
Meaning
prefix
A prefix meaning 'all' or 'every', used to form words for things that are universal or cover everything.
Grammar: Attaches to the front of another word, often with a hyphen before a vowel or capital letter: omni- + potent = omnipotent.
Patterns
- omni- + adjective
- omni- + noun
The company's omni-channel strategy lets customers shop in stores, online, or by app.
In many religions, God is described as omniscient, meaning all-knowing.
The new camera has an omnidirectional lens that captures a full 360-degree view.
Common combinations
- omni-channel
- The retailer's omni-channel approach blends physical stores with a strong online presence.
- omniscient
- The narrator of the novel is omniscient and knows every character's thoughts.
- omnipotent
- The dictator seemed almost omnipotent, but his power was not absolute.
- omnipresent
- Smartphones have become omnipresent in modern life.
- omnivorous
- Humans are omnivorous, eating both plants and meat.
Synonyms and how they differ
Word family
- omnipotence noun
- The state of having unlimited power.
- omniscience noun
- The state of knowing everything.
- omnipresence noun
- The state of being present everywhere at once.
Commonly confused: omni or omni- vs. omni?
omni vs omni- vs. omni
Omni- is a prefix and cannot stand alone as a word; it must be attached to another word like omnipotent.
Practice
Which word means 'all-knowing'?
Choose one answer.
Omniscient combines omni- (all) with scientia (knowledge), so it means all-knowing. Omnipotent means all-powerful, omnipresent means present everywhere, and omnivorous means eating all kinds of food.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “omni”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.