uni

¹ American  

[yoo-nee] / ˈyu ni /

noun

Informal.

1. a uniformed police officer; uniform.

   A uni phoned in the burglary at 2:19 this morning.

2. British and Australian. university.

   Tony and Marc are both off to uni in two weeks.

---

uni- ² American  

1. a combining form occurring in loanwords from Latin (universe ), used, with the meaning “one,” in the formation of compound words (unicycle ).

---

uni- ¹ British  

combining form

1. consisting of, relating to, or having only one

   unilateral

   unisexual

---

uni ² British  

/ ˈjuːnɪ /

noun

1. informal short for university

---

Usage

What does uni- mean? Uni- is a combining form used like a prefix, meaning “one.”  Uni- appears in a wide variety of everyday and technical terms alike. Uni- comes from the Latin ūnus, meaning “one.” The Greek counterpart of uni- is mono-, as in monologue. Learn more at our Words That Use article on the form.

Etymology

Origin of uni¹

First recorded in 1895–1900; by shortening

Origin of uni-²

< Latin ūni- combining form of ūnus one; -i-

Example Sentences

On the menu is uni pasta, hanger steak au poivre and a dry-aged burger with fries, which restaurant critic Bill Addison says doesn’t require any twists because “it’s simply a fantastic burger.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2026

Hokkaido uni has a deeper, more briny umami flavor than the Santa Barbara variety often served when the type isn’t specified.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

"I felt so left out at the start of uni, I was so worried about making friends," she says.

From BBC • Jan. 10, 2026

Yama Seafood carries an incredible selection of premium uni, from multiple grades of Hokkaido to more local options like Maine and Santa Barbara.

From Salon • Dec. 4, 2025

“I didn’t know half the things Professor Grubbly- Plank told us about uni —” “Look at this!”

From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling