universal
Americanadjective
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of, relating to, or characteristic of all or the whole.
universal experience.
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applicable everywhere or in all cases; general.
a universal cure.
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affecting, concerning, or involving all.
universal military service.
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used or understood by all.
a universal language.
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present everywhere.
the universal calm of southern seas.
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versed in or embracing many or all skills, branches of learning, etc..
Leonardo da Vinci was a universal genius.
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of or relating to the universe, all nature, or all existing things.
universal cause.
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characterizing all or most members of a class; generic.
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Logic. (of a proposition) asserted of every member of a class.
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Linguistics. found in all languages or belonging to the human language faculty.
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Machinery. noting any of various machines, tools, or devices widely adaptable in position, range of use, etc.
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Metalworking.
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(of metal plates and shapes) rolled in a universal mill.
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(of a rolling mill or rolling method) having or employing vertical edging rolls.
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noun
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something that may be applied throughout the universe to many things, usually thought of as an entity that can be in many places at the same time.
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a trait, characteristic, or property, as distinguished from a particular individual or event, that can be possessed in common, as the care of a mother for her young.
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Logic. a universal proposition.
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Philosophy.
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a general term or concept or the generic nature that such a term signifies; a Platonic idea or Aristotelian form.
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an entity that remains unchanged in character in a series of changes or changing relations.
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Hegelianism. concrete universal.
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Machinery. universal joint.
adjective
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of, relating to, or typical of the whole of mankind or of nature
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common to, involving, or proceeding from all in a particular group
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applicable to or affecting many individuals, conditions, or cases; general
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existing or prevailing everywhere
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applicable or occurring throughout or relating to the universe; cosmic
a universal constant
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(esp of a language) capable of being used and understood by all
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embracing or versed in many fields of knowledge, activity, interest, etc
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machinery designed or adapted for a range of sizes, fittings, or uses
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linguistics (of a constraint in a formal grammar) common to the grammatical description of all human languages, actual or possible
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logic (of a statement or proposition) affirming or denying something about every member of a class, as in all men are wicked Compare particular
noun
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philosophy
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a general term or concept or the type such a term signifies
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a metaphysical entity taken to be the reference of a general term, as distinct from the class of individuals it describes See also realism
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a Platonic Idea or Aristotelian form
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logic
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a universal proposition, statement, or formula
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a universal quantifier
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a characteristic common to every member of a particular culture or to every human being
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short for universal joint
Usage
The use of more universal as in his writings have long been admired by fellow scientists, but his latest book should have more universal appeal is acceptable in modern English usage
Related Words
See general.
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of universal
First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English universel (adjective), from Middle French, from Latin ūniversālis; equivalent to universe + -al 1
Explanation
Universal describes something for everything or everyone. Universal design is architectural design that accommodates every person. A universal remote can change the stations on all your home entertainment systems, but hopefully not at once. The uni in universal means "one" so this word is all about "one for all and all for one." If it's universal, it applies to all cases. Like the universe itself, a universal emotion is one that every human can understand or relate to. The desire for your children to be safe and happy is universal. If you are to make a universal change in a document it means that every time the specified word appears, it should be fixed.
Vocabulary lists containing universal
Power Prefix: uni-
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Four Power Prefixes: anti-, con-, inter-, and uni-.
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Vocabulary to Describe Literary Devices
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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.
The law firm added "several hundred claims remain ongoing for those who chose not to accept the universal offer".
From BBC • May 19, 2026
Einstein's theory of relativity showed that time is not fixed or universal.
From Science Daily • May 18, 2026
“There needs to be universal standards,” said Travis Beck, a location manager for commercials, small films and music videos.
From Los Angeles Times • May 17, 2026
The opposite is true in Scotland, where there is pretty much universal agreement that the VAR should not have stepped in to give the penalty to Celtic.
From BBC • May 14, 2026
Underlying the random drifting was a deeper, slower, universal movement, out from the land toward the sea.
From "The Amber Spyglass" by Philip Pullman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
