universal

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adjective

Definition of UNIVERSAL

1

able to do many different kinds of things <a universal wrench>

Synonyms adaptable, all-around (also all-round), protean, universal

Related Words general-purpose, mixed-use, multipurpose; well-rounded; able, ace, adept, experienced, expert, masterful, proficient, skilled, skillful; adjustable, alterable, changeable, elastic, flexible, fluid, malleable, modifiable, plastic, pliable, pliant, supple, variable

Near Antonyms limited; amateur, inexperienced

2

belonging or relating to the whole <mankind's universal need for affection>

Synonyms across-the-board, blanket, broad-brush, common, generic, global, overall, universal

Related Words all-embracing, broad, broad-gauge (or broad-gauged), broadscale, comprehensive, extensive, inclusionary, overarching, pervasive, sweeping, ubiquitous, wholesale, wide, widespread; aggregate, collective, complete, full, plenary; planetary, worldwide

Near Antonyms component, constituent; cross-sectional, divisional, fragmentary, partial; local, localized, regional, sectional

Antonyms individual, particular

3

covering everything or all important points <the genius of Leonardo da Vinci was universal: he was an artist, an architect, an engineer, and a scientist, among other things>

Synonyms all-embracing, all-in [chiefly British], all-inclusive, broad-gauge (or broad-gauged), compendious, complete, comprehensive, cover-all, cyclopedic, embracive, exhaustive, full, global, inclusive, in-depth, omnibus, panoramic, thorough, universal

Related Words broad, catholic, encyclical, general, inclusionary, overall; cosmic (also cosmical), extensive, far, far-reaching, grand, large, panoptic, sweeping, vast, wide, wide-ranging; blanket, indiscriminate, unrestricted

Near Antonyms circumscribed, limited, narrow, restricted, specialized; exact, precise; individual, singular, specific; incomplete, patchy, sketchy

4

present in all places and at all times <after the home team won the national championship, throughout the city a sense of pride was as universal as the air>

Synonyms ubiquitous, universal, wall-to-wall

Related Words boundless, endless, fathomless, horizonless, illimitable, immeasurable, immensurable, indefinite, infinite, limitless, measureless, unbounded, unfathomable, unlimited; extensive, far-flung, widespread

Near Antonyms bounded, circumscribed, confined, finite, limited, measured, narrow, restricted