# omniscient

/ɑmˈnɪʃənt/ (US) · /ɒmnˈɪsiənt/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/omniscient
Updated: 2026-05-30

## Definition

knowing or seeing everything. In books, it describes a narrator who knows the thoughts and feelings of all the characters.

For teachers: having infinite knowledge or awareness; all-knowing. In a literary context, it refers to a narrator with access to the thoughts and feelings of all characters and events.

## Examples

- The author uses an omniscient narrator to tell the story.
- Unlike a first-person perspective, an omniscient narrator can jump between different characters' minds and reveal secrets they do not know.
- The novel's omniscient narrator provides a detached, comprehensive view of the village, allowing the reader to see the hidden motivations of every resident.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.