adverb
Uncommon
universally
yoo-nih-VUR-suh-lee
Universally (adverb) means By everyone, or in every case, without exception. Example: “The new policy was universally praised by staff.”
adverb
1
By everyone, or in every case, without exception.
"The new policy was universally praised by staff."
"It's not universally true that older cars are less reliable."
"Parents universally want their children to be safe and happy at school."
How to use universally
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEverywhere, by everybody, or in all cases.
Common pairings
universally acknowledged
universally accepted
universally recognized
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more universally
- Superlative
- most universally
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The new policy was _____ praised by staff.
Etymology
From "universal" + the adverb-forming suffix "-ly."
Synonyms
View more →Related words
Rhymes for universally
See all rhymes for universally →Frequently asked questions
What does “universally” mean?
The word “universally” means by everyone, or in every case, without exception. In plain terms, everywhere, by everybody, or in all cases.
How do you pronounce “universally”?
“Universally” is pronounced yoo-nih-VUR-suh-lee (/ˌjunɪˈvɝsəli/ in IPA).
How do you use “universally” in a sentence?
Here is “universally” used in a sentence: “The new policy was universally praised by staff.”
What part of speech is “universally”?
“Universally” is an adverb.
Is “universally” a common word?
“Universally” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between universally and generally?
Universally means something applies to everyone or every case without exception, while generally means something is true in most cases but allows for exceptions. 'Universally acknowledged' means no one disputes it, whereas 'generally acknowledged' allows for some disagreement.
Can universally be used with 'agreed' or 'accepted'?
Yes, universally frequently pairs with words like agreed, accepted, recognized, and praised to stress total consensus, as in 'the rule is universally accepted.'
Is universally a formal word?
Universally is used in both formal and everyday writing, though it appears especially often in academic, legal, and journalistic contexts where absolute claims are being emphasized.
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