Something that is universal relates to everyone in the world or everyone in a particular group or society.
The insurance industry has produced its own proposals for universal health care.
The desire to look attractive is universal.
universality (juːnɪvɜːʳsælɪti)uncountable noun
I have been amazed at the universality of our experiences, whatever our sex or age. [+ of]
Synonyms: comprehensiveness, generalization, generality, totality More Synonyms of universal
2. adjective
Something that is universal affects or relates to every part of the world or the universe.
...universal diseases.
3. countable noun
A universal is a principle that applies in all cases or a characteristic that is present in all members of a particular class.
There are no economic universals.
More Synonyms of universal
universal in British English
(ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəl)
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or typical of the whole of humankind or of nature
2.
common to, involving, or proceeding from all in a particular group
3.
applicable to or affecting many individuals, conditions, or cases; general
4.
existing or prevailing everywhere
5.
applicable or occurring throughout or relating to the universe; cosmic
a universal constant
6.
(esp of a language) capable of being used and understood by all
7.
embracing or versed in many fields of knowledge, activity, interest, etc
8. machinery
designed or adapted for a range of sizes, fittings, or uses
9. linguistics
(of a constraint in a formal grammar) common to the grammatical description of all human languages, actual or possible
10. logic
(of a statement or proposition) affirming or denying something about every member of a class, as in all men are wicked
Compare particular (sense 6)
noun
11. philosophy
a.
a general term or concept or the type such a term signifies
b.
a metaphysical entity taken to be the reference of a general term, as distinct from the class of individuals it describes
See also realism (sense 5)
c.
a Platonic Idea or Aristotelian form
12. logic
a.
a universal proposition, statement, or formula
b.
a universal quantifier
13.
a characteristic common to every member of a particular culture or to every human being
14. short for universal joint
▶ USAGE The use of more universal as in his writings have long been admired by fellow scientists, but his latest book shouldhave more universal appeal is acceptable in modern English usage
Derived forms
universalness (ˌuniˈversalness)
noun
universal in American English
(ˌjunəˈvɜrsəl)
adjective
1.
of the universe; present or occurring everywhere or in all things
2.
of, for, affecting, or including all or the whole of something specified; not limited or restricted
3. Obsolete
being, or regarded as, a complete whole; entire; whole
4.
broad in knowledge, interests, ability, etc.
5.
that can be used for a great many or all kinds, forms, sizes, etc.; highly adaptable
a universal voltage regulator
6.
used, intended to be used, or understood by all
7. Logic
not restricted or particular in application; predicating something of every member of a specified class
noun
8.
universal joint
9. Logic
a.
a universal proposition
b.
predicable (sense 3)
c.
a general term or concept, or that which such a term or concept covers
10. Philosophy
a metaphysical entity characterized by repeatability and unchanging nature through a series of changing relations, as substance
SYNONYMY NOTE: universal implies applicability to every case or individual, without exception, in the class,category, etc. concerned [a universal practice among primitive peoples]; general implies applicability to all, nearly all, or most of a group or class [a general election]; generic implies applicability to every member of a class or, specif. in biology, of a genus[a generic name]
Derived forms
universalness (ˌuniˈversalness)
noun
Word origin
ME universel < OFr < L universalis < universus: see universe
Examples of 'universal' in a sentence
universal
The right must occupy that ground and stand for universal human values and equal treatment for all.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
The first is universal access to healthcare, the second is extending the reach of that healthcare outside the clinic.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
A bold and aggressive infrastructure boost at a time of very low government borrowing costs would meet with near universal acclaim.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
There is also the universal desire to escape at times.
Lumsden, Robert 23 Steps to Successful Achievement (1972)
The implication is this is a universal law.
The Sun (2009)
We understand each other through the universal language of love.
The Sun (2011)
Universal broadband access should be one part of the solution and will not be effective in isolation.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It won universal acclaim and is currently being turned into a film.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It has introduced universal health insurance and free primary education.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
This phenomenon is a universal feature of human societies.
Sanderson, Stephen K. Macrosociology: An Introduction to Human Societies (1995)
The deeper reform is in the way the universal church is governed.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
One might call it the universal law of politics.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
The internet is the next step on the path of universal information access.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
It has not won universal acclaim from economists.
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Are you in favour of universal health care?
Times, Sunday Times (2012)
Is this a straightforward universal human experience?
The Times Literary Supplement (2011)
The vested interests opposed to choice are powerful and near universal within the education establishment.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
He says we should act as if our actions would become a universal law.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This was football expressing a universal language.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Costs and universal access are not the whole story though.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
It did not win universal acclaim.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
In that sense, the atonement is universal and not particular or limited.
Christianity Today (2000)
They are acting with the understandable and universal desire to not die horribly, or live miserably.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
He wants to be the first American president to enact universal health insurance coverage.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
In other languages
universal
British English: universal ADJECTIVE
Something that is universal includes or affects everyone.
The insurance industry has produced its own proposals for universal health care.
American English: universal
Brazilian Portuguese: universal
Chinese: 全世界的
European Spanish: universal
French: universel
German: allgemein
Italian: universale
Japanese: みなに共通する
Korean: 보편적인
European Portuguese: universal
Latin American Spanish: universal
All related terms of 'universal'
universal set
the set of all objects or elements considered in a given problem
universal bank
A universal bank is a bank that offers both banking and stockbroking services to its clients.
universal beam
a broad-flanged rolled steel joist suitable for a stanchion ( axial load ) or beam ( bending load)
universal class
(in Boolean algebra ) the class containing all points and including all other classes
universal donor
a person who has blood of group O and whose blood may be safely transfused to persons with most other blood types
universal joint
a form of coupling between two rotating shafts allowing freedom of angular movement in all directions
universal motor
an electric motor capable of working on either direct current or single-phase alternating current at approximately the same speed and output
Universal Soul
Brahman in its aspect as the sacred syllable Om , the eternal and spiritual principle that permeates the universe
universal theme
A theme in an artist's work or in a work of literature is an idea in it that the artist or writer develops or repeats .
universal time
(from 1928) name adopted internationally for Greenwich Mean Time (measured from Greenwich midnight ), now split into several slightly different scales , one of which ( UT 1) is used by astronomers
universal access
If you have access to something such as information or equipment, you have the opportunity or right to see it or use it.
universal benefit
Benefit is money that is given by the government to people who are poor , ill , or unemployed .
universal credit
(in Britain ) a state benefit to assist people who are unemployed or have a low income
universal grammar
(in Chomskyan transformation linguistics ) the abstract limitations on the formal grammatical description of all human languages, actual or possible , that make them human languages
universal language
A language is a system of communication which consists of a set of sounds and written symbols which are used by the people of a particular country or region for talking or writing .
universal suffrage
the right of all adults (with minor exceptions ) to vote in elections
universal phenomenon
A phenomenon is something that is observed to happen or exist.
universal quantifier
a formal device indicating that the open sentence that follows is true of every member of the relevant universe of interpretation , as (∀ x )( Fx → Gx ) or ( x )( Fx → Gx ): literally , for everything, if it is an F it is a G ; that is, all Fs are Gs
universal recipient
a person with blood type AB , able to receive blood from a person of any blood type but able to donate blood only to a person with the same blood type
universal gas constant
the constant in the gas equation . It is equal to 8.31472 joules per kelvin per mole
Universal Product Code
a number and bar code that identify an individual consumer product
Coordinated Universal Time
→ Universal Time as periodically adjusted to coordinate with atomic clocks : it serves as the official international basis for → standard time
Saybolt universal seconds
a US measurement of viscosity similar in type to the British Redwood seconds
universal coordinated time
(from 1928) name adopted internationally for Greenwich Mean Time (measured from Greenwich midnight ), now split into several slightly different scales , one of which ( UT 1) is used by astronomers
variable universal life insurance
Variable universal life insurance is a type of life insurance that allows you to invest the cash value in a wide variety of separate accounts .
UPC
Universal Product Code
gas constant
the constant in the gas equation . It is equal to 8.31472 joules per kelvin per mole
Chinese translation of 'universal'
universal
(juːnɪˈvəːsl)
adj
普遍的 (pǔbiàn de)
1 (adjective)
Definition
of or relating to everyone in the world or everyone in a particular place or society
proposals for universal health care
Synonyms
widespread
There is widespread support for the proposals.
Food shortages are widespread.
general
Contrary to general opinion, these plants do not need acidic soil.
common
It is common practice for people to invest in holiday homes here.
whole
I have now read the whole book.
total
The car was in a total mess.
I mean I'm not a total idiot.
entire
Treatment is more effective if the entire family is involved.
catholic
He was a man of catholic tastes, enjoying music and fine arts of all kinds.
unlimited
ecumenical
ecumenical church services
omnipresent
all-embracing
overarching
one-size-fits-all
2 (adjective)
Definition
of, relating to, or affecting the entire world or universe
universal diseases
Synonyms
global
a global ban on nuclear testing
worldwide
Doctors fear a worldwide epidemic of this disease.
international
an international agreement against exporting arms to that country
pandemic
Usage note
The use of more universal as in his writings have long been admired by fellow scientists, but his latest book should have more universal appeal is acceptable in modern English usage.
Additional synonyms
in the sense of catholic
Definition
(of tastes or interests) covering a wide range
He was a man of catholic tastes, enjoying music and fine arts of all kinds.
Synonyms
wide,
general,
liberal,
global,
varied,
comprehensive,
universal,
world-wide,
tolerant,
eclectic,
all-inclusive,
ecumenical,
all-embracing,
broad-minded,
unbigoted,
unsectarian,
multicultural,
multiculti (informal)
in the sense of common
Definition
widespread among people in general
It is common practice for people to invest in holiday homes here.
Synonyms
popular,
general,
accepted,
standard,
routine,
widespread,
universal,
prevailing,
prevalent
in the sense of ecumenical
Definition
tending to promote unity among Christian churches
ecumenical church services
Synonyms
unifying,
universal,
non-denominational,
non-sectarian,
general
Synonyms of 'universal'
universal
Explore 'universal' in the dictionary
Additional synonyms
in the sense of entire
Definition
made up of or involving all of something, including every detail, part, or aspect
Treatment is more effective if the entire family is involved.
Synonyms
whole,
full,
complete,
total
in the sense of general
Definition
including various or miscellaneous items
Contrary to general opinion, these plants do not need acidic soil.
Synonyms
widespread,
accepted,
popular,
public,
common,
broad,
extensive,
universal,
prevailing,
prevalent,
accustomed
in the sense of international
Definition
of or involving two or more nations
an international agreement against exporting arms to that country
Synonyms
global,
world,
worldwide,
universal,
cosmopolitan,
planetary,
intercontinental
in the sense of total
Definition
complete
The car was in a total mess.I mean I'm not a total idiot.
Synonyms
complete,
absolute,
utter,
whole,
perfect,
entire,
sheer,
outright,
all-out,
thorough,
unconditional,
downright (derogatory),
undisputed,
consummate,
unqualified,
out-and-out,
undivided,
overarching,
unmitigated,
thoroughgoing,
arrant (derogatory),
deep-dyed (derogatory)
in the sense of whole
Definition
constituting or referring to all of something
I have now read the whole book.
Synonyms
complete,
full,
total,
entire,
integral,
uncut,
undivided,
unabridged,
unexpurgated,
uncondensed
in the sense of worldwide
Definition
applying or extending throughout the world
Doctors fear a worldwide epidemic of this disease.