Word of the Day

: January 19, 2014

ubiquitous

adjective yoo-BIK-wuh-tus

What It Means

: existing or being everywhere at the same time : constantly encountered : widespread

ubiquitous in Context

The band's catchy new song is ubiquitous-I seem to hear it everywhere I go.

"Blackberry, once the darling of business and ubiquitous in every meeting, is being replaced as other devices move in offering faster, smarter and sleeker phones." - From a blog by Liz Hester at talkingbiznews.com, December 16, 2013

Did You Know?

"Ubiquitous" comes to us from the noun "ubiquity," meaning "presence everywhere or in many places simultaneously." "Ubiquity" first appeared in print in the late 16th century, but "ubiquitous" didn't make an appearance until 1830. (Another noun form, "ubiquitousness," arrived around 1874.) Both words are ultimately derived from the Latin word for "everywhere," which is "ubique." "Ubiquitous," which has often been used with a touch of exaggeration for things and people that seem to turn up everywhere, has become a more widespread and popular word than "ubiquity." Though not quite ubiquitous, if you keep your eyes and ears open, you're apt to encounter the word "ubiquitous" quite a bit.