universal
yoo-nih-VURSL
Universal (adjective) means applying to or shared by everyone or everything in a group. Example: “Clean water should be a universal right, not a privilege.”
adjective
1
Applying to or shared by everyone or everything in a group.
"Clean water should be a universal right, not a privilege."
"The film has universal appeal, popular with kids and adults alike."
"Kindness is a universal language that people understand everywhere."
2
Relating to the universe as a whole.
"Scientists study the universal laws that govern how stars and galaxies form."
"The old poem describes a universal order that holds every planet in its path."
"Gravity is a universal force acting on every object with mass."
3
Designed to work in many different situations or with many different things.
"The adapter is universal, so it fits sockets from any country."
"I bought a universal remote that controls the television, the speakers and the lamp."
"A universal charger saves you from carrying a different cable for every device."
How to use universal
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTrue for, or usable by, everyone or everything, not just a select few.
Common pairings
universal truth
universal appeal
universal remote
universal healthcare
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Word forms
- Plural
- universals
- Comparative
- more universal
- Superlative
- most universal
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Clean water should be a _____ right, not a privilege.
Etymology
From Old French universal, from Latin universalis, built from universus ("all together, whole") — the same root as "universe."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for universal
See all rhymes for universal →Frequently asked questions
What does “universal” mean?
The word “universal” means applying to or shared by everyone or everything in a group. In plain terms, true for, or usable by, everyone or everything, not just a select few.
How do you pronounce “universal”?
“Universal” is pronounced yoo-nih-VURSL (/ˌjunəˈvɜɹs(ə)l/ in IPA).
How do you use “universal” in a sentence?
Here is “universal” used in a sentence: “Clean water should be a universal right, not a privilege.”
What is the opposite of “universal”?
The opposite of “universal” — its antonyms — is nonuniversal.
What part of speech is “universal”?
“Universal” is an adjective.
Where does the word “universal” come from?
The word “universal” comes from Latin. From Old French universal, from Latin universalis, built from universus ("all together, whole") — the same root as "universe.".
Is “universal” a common word?
“Universal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
How many meanings does “universal” have?
“Universal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: applying to or shared by everyone or everything in a group.
What is the difference between universal and global?
'Global' relates specifically to the whole world, as in global trade. 'Universal' is wider still, meaning shared by everyone or everything in a given group — which may be the world, but could also be all humans, all members of a company, or the entire universe.
What is an example of something universal?
Basic human experiences such as love, grief, and laughter are often called universal because people everywhere share them. Other examples include universal human rights, meant to apply to every person, or a universal remote, designed to work with any device regardless of brand.
What is the opposite of universal?
The main opposites are 'particular,' 'specific,' and 'individual' — words describing something limited to one case rather than shared by all. 'Local' and 'restricted' also contrast with it. Where universal means applying to everyone in a group, its opposites apply only to a select few.
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