parallel universe
Americannoun
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Physics. any of a hypothetical collection of undetectable universes that are like our known universe but have branched off from our universe due to a quantum-level event.
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(in cosmology) a hypothetical universe that coexists with our known universe but may operate under fundamentally different laws of physics.
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Also called alternate universe, alternative universe. (in science fiction, fantasy, etc.) a separate universe or world that coexists with our known universe but is very different from it.
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a realm of existence and experience that is fundamentally different from the one that most humans share; a separate reality.
I don’t understand him—I think he lives in a parallel universe.
Etymology
Origin of parallel universe
First recorded in 1920–25
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Stock markets feature a parallel universe of Chinese technology champions: an e-commerce giant that isn’t Amazon, a search-engine and robotaxi company that isn’t Google and a chip manufacturer with a four-letter name other than TSMC.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 15, 2026
Of course, no influencer plot would be complete without the threat of online cancellation — and just when things can’t get any worse, Natalie enters the parallel universe of the past.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 7, 2026
Rodeo FX worked on seasons four and five of the Netflix show that follows a group of teenagers in small town America as they take on supernatural creatures and a parallel universe.
From Barron's ● Jan. 31, 2026
In a parallel universe, Francesca Jones might now be sitting at home preparing applications for university courses.
From BBC ● Jan. 18, 2026
Every theorem in Euclidean geometry can be dualized in projective geometry, setting up a whole set of new theorems in the parallel universe of projective geometry.
From "Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea" by Charles Seife
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