Word of the Day

: October 18, 2023

omnipotent

adjective ahm-NIP-uh-tunt

What It Means

Omnipotent is a formal word describing someone or something as having complete or unlimited power.

// History is replete with examples that reveal the dangers of having an omnipotent ruler.

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omnipotent in Context

"AI is not omnipotent (yet). AI-generated products may perpetuate gender, racial and cultural stereotypes or lead to product homogenization. Moreover, the product development cycle could lose the human element that provides diversity, authenticity and emotional connection to consumers. It’s also not yet apparent how copyright issues will be handled." — Pavel Podkorytov, Forbes, 2 Aug. 2023

Did You Know?

The word omnipotent made its way into English through Anglo-French, but it ultimately comes from a combination of the Latin prefix omni-, meaning "all," and the word potens, meaning "potent." The omni- prefix has also given us similar words such as omniscient (meaning "all-knowing") and omnivorous (describing one that eats both plants and animals). Although omnipotent is most often used in general contexts to mean "having virtually unlimited authority or influence" (as in "an omnipotent ruler"), it was originally applied specifically to the power held by an almighty deity. The word has been used as an English adjective since the 14th century, and since the 16th century it has also been used as a noun referring to one who is omnipotent.