The ubiquitous meaning is simple even though the word looks hard: it describes something that is everywhere, or seems to be. Phone chargers, plastic bags, pigeons in a city square and the smell of frying snacks near a railway station can all be called ubiquitous.
It is a favorite of journalists and essay writers, because one word does the work of "you see it all over the place." Read on for its pronunciation, its Latin roots and tips for fitting it into your own writing without strain.
Entry at a glance
Meaning
Present, found or seen everywherePart of speech
AdjectivePronunciation
yoo-BIK-wuh-tuhsWord forms
ubiquity (noun), ubiquitously (adverb), ubiquitousness (noun)Origin
Latin ubique, "everywhere"; ubiquitous recorded from about 1800Opposite
Rare, scarce, uncommonRegister
Formal to neutral; common in writing
Ubiquitous meaning: what the word really says
To define ubiquitous: it means existing or appearing everywhere at the same time, or so often that it feels that way. The word usually carries a hint of "so common that you barely notice it any more."
Strictly, almost nothing is in every single place. In real use, the ubiquitous definition is looser: very widespread within a particular setting. Scooters are ubiquitous in an Indian city; yellow school buses are ubiquitous on American roads in the morning.
Examples in sentences
- Digital payments have become ubiquitous, even at roadside tea stalls.
- In the office, the ubiquitous water cooler is where the gossip starts.
- Coconut trees are ubiquitous along the Kerala coast.
- The ubiquity of cameras means very little goes unrecorded today.
- That jingle was so ubiquitous last summer that I still hum it.
How the word is built
Ubiquitous comes from the Latin adverb ubique, "everywhere," made from ubi, "where," plus -que, a suffix that here gives the sense of "every." The noun ubiquity came first, in the 1570s, as a church term for the idea that God or Christ is present everywhere. The adjective ubiquitous is recorded from around 1800 and soon spread to ordinary things.
Knowing the root helps with spelling: the qu sits where Latin had it, and the ending is the usual -ous found in words like famous.
Using it naturally
The word is almost always used before a noun ("the ubiquitous smartphone") or after a linking verb ("smartphones are ubiquitous"). Writers often put the in front to suggest a familiar, slightly tired sight: "the ubiquitous selfie stick," "the ubiquitous traffic cones." That use can be gently humorous.
Common pairings include become ubiquitous, almost ubiquitous, nearly ubiquitous and ubiquitous in a place or field. In technology, ubiquitous computing is a term for devices built so widely into daily life that people stop seeing them as computers.
Close words and the opposite
| Word | Difference |
|---|---|
| Omnipresent | Present everywhere at once; often religious or dramatic |
| Pervasive | Spreading through every part, often of something unwanted, like a smell or a feeling |
| Widespread | Plain everyday word; found over a large area or among many people |
| Universal | Applies to all, without exception |
The opposite is rare, scarce or uncommon. A thing that is everywhere for a short time and then vanishes is better called a passing fad, or, more formally, ephemeral.
Saying it right
Say yoo-BIK-wuh-tuhs, four syllables, stress on the second. The opening sounds like the word "you." A common slip is to say "oo-BIK," dropping the y sound, or to stress the first syllable. The noun shifts slightly: yoo-BIK-wuh-tee. If you are unsure, break it into chunks and say them slowly, then speed up: you, bick, wuh, tuss. Writing it is easier once you remember that the Latin qu stays inside the word.
Where you will meet it
News stories use it for trends ("ubiquitous food delivery bikes"), science writing for species or chemicals found in many places, and business reports for products that dominate a market. It also turns up often in vocabulary sections of college entrance and competitive exams in both the US and India. It sits well beside other words for how common things are, such as mundane and contemporary. More words like these are on our everyday vocabulary hub.
Frequently asked questions
What does ubiquitous mean in simple words?
Something ubiquitous is found everywhere. If something is ubiquitous, you see it wherever you go.
Is ubiquitous positive or negative?
Neither on its own. Context decides the tone: "ubiquitous free wifi" sounds good, while "ubiquitous litter" sounds bad.
How do you pronounce ubiquitous?
Say yoo-BIK-wuh-tuhs, with the stress on BIK. Start with a clear y sound, as in you.
Which noun goes with ubiquitous?
The noun is ubiquity, as in "the ubiquity of mobile phones." Ubiquitousness also exists but is used less.
Can a person be ubiquitous?
Yes, in a playful sense. If a colleague seems to turn up at every event and meeting, you might joke that he is ubiquitous.
What is the difference between ubiquitous and omnipresent?
They overlap. Omnipresent often has a religious or dramatic feel and suggests being present everywhere at once, while ubiquitous is used more for ordinary, widespread things.