Universal meaning

yo͝onə-vûrsəl
universals
See word origin
Frequency:
A trait or pattern of behavior characteristic of all the members of a particular culture or of all humans.
noun
12
5
Of the universe; present or occurring everywhere or in all things.
adjective
10
5
Of, for, affecting, or including all or the whole of something specified; not limited or restricted.
adjective
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6
(obs.) Being, or regarded as, a complete whole; entire; whole.
adjective
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5
Of, relating to, or affecting the entire universe.

The universal laws of physics.

adjective
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3
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A general or widely held principle, concept, or notion.
noun
2
1
Including, relating to, or affecting all members of the class or group under consideration; applicable in all cases.

Universal vaccination; universal suffrage.

adjective
2
2
That can be used for a great many or all kinds, forms, sizes, etc.; highly adaptable.

A universal voltage regulator.

adjective
2
3
Done, produced, or shared by all members of the class or group under consideration.

A discovery that met with universal acclaim.

adjective
1
2
Adapted or adjustable to many sizes, uses, or devices.

A universal remote control.

adjective
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2
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(logic) Encompassing all of the members of a class or group. Used of a proposition.
adjective
1
2
Broad in knowledge, interests, ability, etc.
adjective
1
2
The definition of universal is relating to or affecting all.

An example of universal used as an adjective is a universal curfew for a town which means that all members of that town must be home by a certain time.

adjective
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0
Of or pertaining to the universe.
adjective
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Common to all members of a group or class.
adjective
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0
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Common to all society; world-wide.

She achieved universal fame.

adjective
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adjective
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Useful for many purposes, e.g., universal wrench.
adjective
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(philosophy) A characteristic or property that particular things have in common.
noun
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Used, intended to be used, or understood by all.
adjective
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1
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(logic) Predicating something of every member of a class.

“all men are mortal” is a universal proposition.

adjective
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1
noun
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3
(philos.) A general term or concept, or that to which such a term or concept applies.
noun
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3

Origin of universal

  • From Latin universalis.

    From Wiktionary

Universal Sentence Examples

  • Death is the most universal experience possible, true, but it's also the most personal.

  • When you die and go to heaven, you have universal knowledge and understanding.

  • These are all knowable things, and yet there is not universal agreement on them.

  • His fine character and conscience earned him universal respect and confidence.

  • The mark of these technologies is that they are greeted with universal skepticism at first.

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Words near universal in the Dictionary