universal
adjective
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Definition of universal
(Entry 1 of 2)
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
2a : present or occurring everywhere
b : existent or operative everywhere or under all conditions universal cultural patterns
3a : embracing a major part or the greatest portion (as of humankind) a universal state universal practices
b : comprehensively broad and versatile a universal genius
4a : 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
universal
nounDefinition of universal (Entry 2 of 2)
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
2a : 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
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Other words from universal
Adjective
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adverb
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noun
Synonyms & Antonyms for universal
Synonyms: Adjective
across-the-board, blanket, broad-brush, common, general, generic, global, overall
Antonyms: Adjective
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Examples of universal in a Sentence
Adjective
an idea with universal appeal a pattern that is universal across all culturesRecent Examples on the Web: Adjective
This not only highlights how science is not truly objective or universal, but shows that science itself is a reflection of the underlying culture. — Smithsonian, "Andean Solstice Celebrations Capture the Wondrous Churn of Spacetime," 22 June 2018 The film's universal themes are about love and acceptance. — Dennis Hohenberger, Courant Community, "Human Relations Commission, Windsor High GSA Kick Off Pride Month," 21 June 2018 The International Energy Agency, a forecaster, reckons mini-grids could account for $300bn of investment by 2030, making them the most important means of achieving universal access. — The Economist, "Mini-grids may be the best way to illuminate the “bottom billion”," 12 July 2018 No question that guaranteed contracts should be universal in football. — Steve Rosenbloom, chicagotribune.com, "When it comes to guaranteed contracts, NFL players don’t stand strong," 11 July 2018 The assumption that Cousins will be on his best behavior with the Warriors is not universal. — Scott Ostler, SFChronicle.com, "With ‘Boogie,’ Warriors shoot into ‘death zone’," 9 July 2018 But the anxiety about leaving your baby is universal. — Sarah Spellings, The Cut, "Khloé Kardashian Says She’s Anxious About Leaving Her Baby to Go Back to Work," 6 July 2018 Even for the very poorest among us receives free education for 13 years, a vast social safety net that includes universal access to healthcare, nutrition assistance, housing assistance and more. — Michael Hicks, Indianapolis Star, "Hicks: We've got it good, and we don't even know it," 24 June 2018 Raymond Cattell and Hans Eysenck Cattell, like most other trait theorists, largely believed universal characteristics exist that apply to everyone. — Lacy Schley, Discover Magazine, "Personality," 15 June 2018Recent Examples on the Web: Noun
Her platform includes abolishing the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), making healthcare universal for all Americans, paid family leave, and more. — Rachel Epstein, Marie Claire, "Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Just Made History in New York," 27 June 2018 Patriarchal capitalism has arguably had a vested interest in promoting the latter idea as a human universal: as the Marxist psychoanalyst Wilhelm Reich pointed out, with women providing free housework and caregiving, capitalists could pay men less. — Kathryn Schulz, The New Yorker, "Japan’s Rent-a-Family Industry," 23 Apr. 2018 Like any good storyteller, Sean Dorsey has a knack for distilling the universal from the specific. — Claudia Bauer, San Francisco Chronicle, "San Francisco’s Sean Dorsey Dance unpacks ‘boy trouble’," 12 Apr. 2018 But values are rooted in emotion and experience as well as reason, in the local as well as the universal. — Alison Gopnik, The Atlantic, "When Truth and Reason Are No Longer Enough," 17 Mar. 2018 Though these words, from the pen of Hans Christian Andersen, are an appealing notion, the idea that there might be universals in music which transcend cultural boundaries has generally been met with scepticism by scholars working in the field. — The Economist, "EthnomusicologyMusic may be the food of love, but oddly, is not its language," 25 Jan. 2018 Brissett earned universal praised from coaches and teammates after the loss. — Zak Keefer, Indianapolis Star, "Colts vs. Browns: 5 things I think," 23 Sep. 2017 The sailor and the nurse were intended as universals, and they are best seen that way. — Time, "Celebrating Legendary LIFE Photo Editor John G. Morris," 28 July 2017 That said, this inclusive, open-hearted play, fundamentally and determinedly, traffics in universals. — Chris Jones, chicagotribune.com, "Review: A bright, doomed relationship, laid bare in 'Bright Half Life'," 2 June 2017These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'universal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for universal
universal
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of universal
: done or experienced by everyone : existing or available for everyone
: existing or true at all times or in all places
See the full definition for universal in the English Language Learners Dictionary
universal
adjective
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Kids Definition of universal
1 : including, covering, or taking in all or everything universal medical care
2 : present or happening everywhere universal celebration
universal
adjective
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Legal Definition of universal
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
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