ubiquity

/juːˈbɪkwɪti/
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Presence that spreads across all or nearly all of a place, field, or culture, especially when it makes something feel hard to avoid.

Examples

  • Researchers study the ubiquity of certain bacteria in urban environments.
  • His fame reached a level of ubiquity that few artists ever achieve.
  • The ubiquity of Wi-Fi networks keeps devices connected in public spaces.
  • Even in remote villages, the ubiquity of satellite TV is evident.
  • The ubiquity of smartphones has changed how people communicate.

Similar words

universality
pervasiveness
widespreadness
prevalence
omnipresence
ubiquitousness

Meanings

Usage

Choose ubiquity when the point is wide reach or near-everywhere presence, especially in formal writing about technology, culture, markets, or ideas.

Common mistakes

Using ubiquity to mean simple frequency weakens the word, as in The ubiquity of the product is frequent instead of The product is widespread.

Etymology

Recorded from the 1570s, from Modern Latin ubiquitas, based on Latin ubique “everywhere,” from ubi “where” plus the generalizing suffix -que.

FAQ

What does ubiquity mean?

Ubiquity is the state of being present or encountered everywhere, or almost everywhere in a particular setting.

Is ubiquity a noun or a verb?

Ubiquity is a noun.

Where does ubiquity come from?

Ubiquity comes from Modern Latin ubiquitas, based on Latin ubique, meaning “everywhere.”

How is ubiquity different from prevalence?

Prevalence says that something is common, while ubiquity stresses presence across nearly every place or part of a setting.

Can ubiquity describe abstract ideas?

Yes. A trend, belief, image, technology, or habit can have ubiquity when it appears almost everywhere.

Is the ubiquities of usually correct?

Usually no. Ubiquity is normally treated as uncountable, so the ubiquity of is the safer form.

When should ubiquity be used instead of ubiquitous?

Use ubiquity when a noun is needed, and use ubiquitous when an adjective is needed.

Does ubiquity have a plural form?

A plural can occur in rare specialist contexts, but ordinary use treats ubiquity as uncountable.

What are close synonyms of ubiquity?

Close synonyms include omnipresence, pervasiveness, universality, and widespreadness.

Is ubiquity used in technical writing?

Yes. It is common in writing about technology, media, science, and business when wide reach is the main idea.

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