Meaning & use
omnidirectional
Last updated
Meaning
adjectivenot comparabletechnical
Able to send, receive, or move signals or objects in all directions at once.
Grammar: Used before a noun: an omnidirectional antenna. Also after a linking verb: The microphone is omnidirectional.
Patterns
- omnidirectional antenna
- omnidirectional microphone
- omnidirectional signal
The radio station uses an omnidirectional antenna to broadcast in all directions.
An omnidirectional microphone picks up sound from every side.
The robot's omnidirectional wheels allow it to move in any direction without turning.
Common combinations
- omnidirectional antenna
- The omnidirectional antenna provides coverage all around.
- omnidirectional microphone
- For a group recording, use an omnidirectional microphone.
- omnidirectional movement
- The robot's omnidirectional movement makes it very agile.
- omnidirectional signal
- The beacon sends an omnidirectional signal.
Synonyms and how they differ
- nondirectional
- Nondirectional is similar but less common; omnidirectional emphasizes all directions equally.
- all-around
- All-around is informal and general, while omnidirectional is technical.
Opposites
Word family
- direction noun
- The course along which something moves.
- directional adjective
- Operating in a particular direction.
Commonly confused: omnidirectional or unidirectional?
omnidirectional vs unidirectional
Unidirectional means moving or operating in one direction only, while omnidirectional means all directions.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'omnidirectional' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Omnidirectional means working in all directions, so a microphone picking up sound from all sides is correct. Option A describes a directional antenna. Option C describes unidirectional movement. Option D is contradictory.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “omnidirectional”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.