universal

1 of 2

adjective

uni·​ver·​sal ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce universal (audio)
1
: including or covering all or a whole collectively or distributively without limit or exception
especially : available equitably to all members of a society
universal health coverage
2
a
: present or occurring everywhere
b
: existent or operative everywhere or under all conditions
universal cultural patterns
3
a
: embracing a major part or the greatest portion (as of humankind)
a universal state
universal practices
b
: comprehensively broad and versatile
a universal genius
4
a
: affirming or denying something of all members of a class or of all values of a variable
b
: denoting every member of a class
a universal term
5
: adapted or adjustable to meet varied requirements (as of use, shape, or size)
a universal gear cutter
a universal remote control
universally adverb
universalness noun

universal

2 of 2

noun

1
: one that is universal: such as
a
: a universal proposition in logic
b
: a predicable of traditional logic
c
: a general concept or term or something in reality to which it corresponds : essence
2
a
: a behavior pattern or institution (such as the family) existing in all cultures
b
: a culture trait characteristic of all normal adult members of a particular society

Examples of universal in a Sentence

Adjective an idea with universal appeal a pattern that is universal across all cultures
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Rising from that setting, Frost’s poems are simple yet profound, plain in language but deep in thought, rustic and local in tone but universal in vision,. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 Mar. 2024 In pop music, the precise and writerly work of Taylor Swift and Olivia Rodrigo invite the audience to project real human faces onto otherwise universal stories about betrayal and heartbreak. Spencer Kornhaber, The Atlantic, 13 Mar. 2024 Communicate and compromise Perhaps the most important piece of advice is also the most obvious and universal one. Anna Luisa Rodriguez, Washington Post, 13 Mar. 2024 But also universal themes of our human experience, themes of love and loss and grief. Gillian Telling, Peoplemag, 12 Mar. 2024 Blood and Honey was met with universal derision but was a hit by Hollywood standards, grossing $5 million worldwide against its $100,000 budget, and inspiring, naturally, a sequel. Lester Fabian Brathwaite, EW.com, 9 Mar. 2024 The film’s premise is both universal and family-friendly, as a woman (DeWanda Wise) moves back to her childhood home and believes her stepdaughter (Pyper Braun) might be targeted by a malicious entity posing as her imaginary friend. William Earl, Variety, 7 Mar. 2024 In his budget proposal released in January, Gov. Gavin Newsom largely spared schools, keeping intact popular initiatives like transitional kindergarten, universal school meals, community schools and after-school programs. Calmatters, The Mercury News, 5 Mar. 2024 The movie also deals with universal feelings of trust, bravery, and forgiveness. Akruti Babaria, Parents, 5 Mar. 2024
Noun
Their stories are signs of the fresh upheaval that families across New York City are facing, as Mayor Eric Adams has abandoned plans to make the city’s 3-K program universal. Troy Closson, New York Times, 27 Feb. 2024 Photo: Courtesy of the Artist and Copenhagen Contemporary In the last few years, Davidsen has made a more visible move from the personal to the universal with her paintings of landscapes. Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 25 Jan. 2024 In other words, a pattern that most psychologists have seen as a human universal is instead a product of culture. Shinobu Kitayama, Scientific American, 15 May 2023 But his mixed-media tapestries reach past any specific culture and toward the universal. Mark Jenkins, Washington Post, 15 Dec. 2023 Vice President Harris, during her presidential primary campaign, articulated a true equal pay proposal, an initiative estimated to inject an additional $180 billion into U.S. coffers–revenue that could be used to offset the cost universal paid and medical leave as well as affordable childcare. Katica Roy, Fortune, 19 Oct. 2023 Felker has a knack for narrative detail like the Hold Steady’s Craig Finn, able to tap into the universal through specifics, but instead of the Twin Cities, most of the action takes place in Oklahoma and neighboring states. Jon Freeman, Spin, 24 Aug. 2023 Listings are ordered by popularity, the insidious universal of the online world. Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 31 July 2023 Not only is there is a human universal of offense at violation of sacred norms, but those sacred norms vary from culture to culture. Razib Khan, Discover Magazine, 15 Sep. 2012

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'universal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin universalis, from universum universe

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of universal was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near universal

Cite this Entry

“Universal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/universal. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

universal

adjective
uni·​ver·​sal
ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl
1
: including or covering all or a whole without limit or exception
universal human characteristics
2
: present or existing everywhere or under all conditions
the family is a universal social unit
3
a
: including or involving a major part or the greatest portion
universal customs
b
: very broad in range
a universal genius
4
: adapted or adjustable to meet varied requirements (as of use, shape, or size)
a universal wrench
universally
-s(ə-)lē
adverb

Legal Definition

universal

adjective
uni·​ver·​sal ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl How to pronounce universal (audio)
1
in the civil law of Louisiana
a
: encompassing or burdening all of one's property especially causa mortis
granted him a universal usufruct
see also universal legacy at legacy compare universal title at title
b
: of or relating to a universal conveyance or a conveyance under a universal title
a universal donee
see also universal successor
2
: not confined by limitations or exceptions : general in application
universally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on universal

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