Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com

universalist

American  
[yoo-nuh-vur-suh-list] / ˌju nəˈvɜr sə lɪst /

noun

  1. a person characterized by universalism, as in knowledge, interests, or activities.

  2. (initial capital letter) a member of a liberal religious denomination advocating Universalism.


adjective

  1. (initial capital letter) Also Universalistic. of or relating to Universalism or Universalists.

universalist British  
/ ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəlɪst /

noun

  1. a person who has a wide range of interests, knowledge, activities, etc

"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

adjective

  1. characterized by universality

"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

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Origin of universalist

First recorded in 1620–30; universal + -ist

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.

See Examples For:

But the town remains a welcoming place—a universalist vision of home.

From The Wall Street Journal Jun. 19, 2026

Lewis told Salon that, as a self-described universalist who believes that all human beings will be restored to a right relationship with God, Christian exhortation need not come at the expense of pluralism.

From Salon Oct. 18, 2024

Advocates who fight discrimination welcomed the new data published this month that gives a rare insight because France follows a universalist vision that doesn’t differentiate citizens by ethnic groups.

From Seattle Times Jul. 15, 2022

I have this universalist vantage point that allows me to look at everything from a different bird’s-eye view.

From Los Angeles Times Aug. 18, 2021

And no sooner had the inquirer been loosened from one side than the universalist was firmly fastened to the other and the rescue must be enacted all over again, amid considerable confusion and laughter.

From The Visioning by Glaspell, Susan

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training