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

During his 2020 Presidential campaign, Yang advocated for a universal basic income of a thousand dollars per month, an idea that won endorsements from Nicolas Cage and Elon Musk. —Charlotte Goddu, New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2025

WellSpace Health, which operates the universal service in the capital region, can also be reached at 916-368-3111 or by texting HOPE to 916-668-4226. —Ishani Desai, Sacbee.com, 6 Oct. 2025

Noun

Lauda’s team found a different way to make an Ising computer universal by introducing a new kind of anyon, the neglecton. —Ananya Palivela, Scientific American, 30 Aug. 2025

Regardless, what’s interesting here is that the tendency toward self-reliance in decision-making appears to be a human universal, not just a Western trait. —New Atlas, 20 Aug. 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