universal

[ yoo-nuh-vur-suhl ]

/ ˌyu nəˈvɜr səl /

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See synonyms for universal on Thesaurus.com

adjective

of, relating to, or characteristic of all or the whole: universal experience.

applicable everywhere or in all cases; general: a universal cure.

affecting, concerning, or involving all: universal military service.

used or understood by all: a universal language.

present everywhere: the universal calm of southern seas.

versed in or embracing many or all skills, branches of learning, etc.: Leonardo da Vinci was a universal genius.

of or relating to the universe, all nature, or all existing things: universal cause.

characterizing all or most members of a class; generic.

Logic. (of a proposition) asserted of every member of a class.

Linguistics. found in all languages or belonging to the human language faculty.

Machinery. noting any of various machines, tools, or devices widely adaptable in position, range of use, etc.

Metalworking.

(of metal plates and shapes) rolled in a universal mill.
(of a rolling mill or rolling method) having or employing vertical edging rolls.

noun

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.

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.

Logic. a universal proposition.

Philosophy.

a general term or concept or the generic nature that such a term signifies; a Platonic idea or Aristotelian form.
an entity that remains unchanged in character in a series of changes or changing relations.
Hegelianism. concrete universal.

language universal.

Machinery. universal joint.

QUIZ

CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of universal

1325–75; Middle English universel (adj.) <Middle French <Latin ūniversālis.See universe, -al¹

synonym study for universal

5. See general.

OTHER WORDS FROM universal

u·ni·ver·sal·ness, nounnon·u·ni·ver·sal, adjective, nounnon·u·ni·ver·sal·ly, adverbqua·si-u·ni·ver·sal, adjective

qua·si-u·ni·ver·sal·ly, adverbsub·u·ni·ver·sal, adjectivesu·per·u·ni·ver·sal, adjectivesu·per·u·ni·ver·sal·ly, adverbsu·per·u·ni·ver·sal·ness, noun

Words nearby universal

univ., univalence, univalent, univalve, univariate, universal, universal affirmative, universal beam, universal chuck, Universal City, universal class

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use universal in a sentence

This trend has been encouraged by the emergence of the universal owner.
The Public Trusts Businesses Over Government to Solve Our Problems. But We Need Both to Try|Colin Mayer|February 3, 2021|Time
Autistics may want less social interaction than others—although this is by no means universal among us — but less is a far cry from none.
I’m autistic. I’m hoping I can wear a mask for the rest of my life.|Christine M. Condo|February 2, 2021|Washington Post
Some of the biggest economic debates of our time focus on automation, the threat of robots replacing workers and whether societies should introduce a universal basic income.
Beyond GameStop: Are You Ready for an Economic Moonshot?|Charu Kasturi|January 31, 2021|Ozy
For example, many advocacy organizations are currently pushing for the USDA to permanently offer universal school meals instead of requiring eligible families to apply.
The Pandemic Reveals Racial Gaps in School Meal Access|Lisa Held|January 27, 2021|Eater

The proposal would have allowed for a universal DH for the second straight year, as opposed to having the position only in the American League, as was the case from 1973 through 2019.
MLB and players’ union at impasse over universal DH, expanded postseason in 2021|Des Bieler|January 26, 2021|Washington Post
Was there something linked to something a little more universal as far as experiences are concerned?
Patton Oswalt on Fighting Conservatives With Satire|William O’Connor|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
“I care about what the universal sense of the film is,” she says.
Brie Larson’s Hollywood Transformation|Marlow Stern|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The courage of this husband and father is a constant reminder of how much some sacrifice for exercising universal rights.
Behind Bars for the Holidays: 11 Political Prisoners We Want to See Free In 2015|Movements.Org|December 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And this song is just absolute genius and totally universal.
Yes, I Like Christmas Music. Stop Laughing.|Michael Tomasky|December 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Most people know the Universal Life Church as a quick and easy place to get ordained without leaving your couch.
The Daily Beast’s Best Longreads, Dec 15-21, 2014|William Boot|December 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Vine is a universal favorite, and rarely out of view; while it often seems to cover half the ground in sight.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley
“Well, mistakes is humant,” sighed Sol, taking advantage of that universal absolution.
The Bondboy|George W. (George Washington) Ogden
The universal ignorance of the working class broke down the aspiring force of genius.
The Unsolved Riddle of Social Justice|Stephen Leacock
It stands very much in the way of that universal adult education which is our present concern.
The Salvaging Of Civilisation|H. G. (Herbert George) Wells
Wheat gives place to Rye about the same time, and the Potato, at first comparatively rare, becomes universal.
Glances at Europe|Horace Greeley

British Dictionary definitions for universal

universal

/ (ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəl) /

adjective

of, relating to, or typical of the whole of mankind or of nature

common to, involving, or proceeding from all in a particular group

applicable to or affecting many individuals, conditions, or cases; general

existing or prevailing everywhere

applicable or occurring throughout or relating to the universe; cosmica universal constant

(esp of a language) capable of being used and understood by all

embracing or versed in many fields of knowledge, activity, interest, etc

machinery designed or adapted for a range of sizes, fittings, or uses

linguistics (of a constraint in a formal grammar) common to the grammatical description of all human languages, actual or possible

logic (of a statement or proposition) affirming or denying something about every member of a class, as in all men are wickedCompare particular (def. 6)

noun

philosophy

a general term or concept or the type such a term signifies
a metaphysical entity taken to be the reference of a general term, as distinct from the class of individuals it describesSee also realism (def. 5)
a Platonic Idea or Aristotelian form

logic

a universal proposition, statement, or formula
a universal quantifier

a characteristic common to every member of a particular culture or to every human being

short for universal joint

Derived forms of universal

universalness, noun

usage for universal

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

universal

Origin of universal

synonym study for universal

OTHER WORDS FROM universal

Words nearby universal

Words related to universal

How to use universal in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for universal

Derived forms of universal

usage for universal