universally
Americanadverb
adverb
Etymology
Origin of universally
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at universal, -ly
Explanation
Use the adverb universally to emphasize that something is done — or felt, or believed — in every single case. If your new haircut is universally loved, it means that everyone, everywhere — with no exceptions — is a fan of your super short bangs. You might also describe getting a filling at the dentist as universally disliked, or a brilliant sunny day as universally cheering after a week of rain. The root is Latin, the word universalis, "of or belonging to all," which in turn comes from universus, "whole or entire." When a feeling or belief belongs to everyone, everywhere, it is held universally.
Vocabulary lists containing universally
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 new project follows the January release of director Brett Ratner’s documentary, which made $16.7 million worldwide at the box office and was universally panned by critics.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 24, 2026
Building a model that works universally would therefore require far more complexity.
From Science Daily ● Sep. 7, 2026
Meanwhile, U.S. government agencies themselves haven’t universally adopted the change, or done so swiftly.
From MarketWatch ● Sep. 1, 2026
Behind the strong language lies a fundamental problem: “Extreme weather” can’t be defined in any scientific, consistent or universally testable way.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 30, 2026
But Everett was well qualified: universally revered, and a dab hand at battlefields, he’d already played Concord, Lexington, and Bunker Hill.
From "Words Like Loaded Pistols" by Sam Leith
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.
