universal

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.

“Universal” is pronounced yoo-nih-VURSL (/ˌjunəˈvɜɹs(ə)l/ in IPA).

Here is “universal” used in a sentence: “Clean water should be a universal right, not a privilege.”

The opposite of “universal” — its antonyms — is nonuniversal.

“Universal” is an adjective.

The word “universal” comes from Latin. From Old French universal, from Latin universalis, built from universus ("all together, whole") — the same root as "universe.".

“Universal” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.

“Universal” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: applying to or shared by everyone or everything in a group.

'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.

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.

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.