universal

1 of 2

adjective

uni·​ver·​sal ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl 

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

ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-s(ə-)lē 

adverb

universalness

ˌyü-nə-ˈvər-səl-nəs 

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

Synonyms

Adjective

• versatile
• adaptable

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

In that case, which stemmed from President Trump's attempt to end birthright citizenship, the Supreme Court limited the use of universal injunctions in cases with individuals as plaintiffs, but gave lower courts more latitude in cases brought by states. —Alexander Tin, CBS News, 1 July 2025

One of its key features is a single global namespace, a kind of universal address book that gives teams a single view of data across different locations and formats. —Forbes.com, 1 July 2025

Noun

Finding the universal in the specific is a particular talent of Fielder’s, and Season 2 manages to successfully present all its contentions at once. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 15 Apr. 2025

The tension between the personal and the universal is palpable in the plot of Novela. —Ernesto Lechner, Rolling Stone, 10 May 2025

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

Phrases Containing universal

• universal donor
• universal grammar
• universal joint
• universal motor
• universal recipient
• universal resource locator
• universal suffrage

Rhymes for universal

• bursal
• versal
• demersal
• dispersal
• rehearsal
• reversal
• transversal
• traversal

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 

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