u·ni·ver·sal (y n -vûr s l)adj.1. Of, relating to, extending to, or affecting the entire world or all within the world; worldwide: "This discovery of literature has as yet only partially penetrated the universal consciousness" Ellen Key. 2. Including, relating to, or affecting all members of the class or group under consideration: the universal skepticism of philosophers. See Synonyms at general. 3. Applicable or common to all purposes, conditions, or situations: a universal remedy. 4. Of or relating to the universe or cosmos; cosmic. 5. Knowledgeable about or constituting all or many subjects; comprehensively broad. 6. Adapted or adjustable to many sizes or mechanical uses. 7. Logic Encompassing all of the members of a class or group. Used of a proposition. n.1. Logic a. A universal proposition. b. A general or abstract concept or term considered absolute or axiomatic. 2. A general or widely held principle, concept, or notion. 3. A trait or pattern of behavior characteristic of all the members of a particular culture or of all humans.
u ni·ver sal·ly adv. u ni·ver sal·ness n. |
universal Adjective 1. of or relating to everyone in the world or everyone in a particular place or society: the introduction of universal primary education 2. of, relating to, or affecting the entire world or universe: the universal laws of physics 3. true and relevant at all times and in all situations: there may be no single universal solution Noun something which exists or is true in all places and all situations: universals such as beauty and justice universality nuniversally advUSAGE: The use of more universal as in his writings have long been admired by fellow scientists, but his latest book should have more universal appeal is acceptable in modern English usage.
ThesaurusLegend: Synonyms Related Words Antonyms | Noun | 1. | universal - (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages | | 2. | universal - (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a classlogic - the branch of philosophy that analyzes inference proposition - (logic) a statement that affirms or denies something and is either true or false | | 3. | universal - a behavioral convention or pattern characteristic of all members of a particular culture or of all human beings; "some form of religion seems to be a human universal"normal, convention, rule, pattern, formula - something regarded as a normative example; "the convention of not naming the main character"; "violence is the rule not the exception"; "his formula for impressing visitors" | | 4. | universal - coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions; "in motor vehicles a universal joint allows the driveshaft to move up and down as the vehicle passes over bumps"coupler, coupling - a mechanical device that serves to connect the ends of adjacent objects | | Adj. | 1. | universal - of worldwide scope or applicability; "an issue of cosmopolitan import"; "the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time"- Christopher Morley; "universal experience"comprehensive - including all or everything; "comprehensive coverage"; "a comprehensive history of the revolution"; "a comprehensive survey"; "a comprehensive education" | | 2. | universal - applicable to or common to all members of a group or set; "the play opened to universal acclaim"; "rap enjoys universal appeal among teenage boys"general - applying to all or most members of a category or group; "the general public"; "general assistance"; "a general rule"; "in general terms"; "comprehensible to the general reader" | | 3. | universal - adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations; "universal wrench", "universal chuck"; "universal screwdriver"adaptable - capable of adapting (of becoming or being made suitable) to a particular situation or use; "to succeed one must be adaptable"; "the frame was adaptable to cloth bolts of different widths" |
universal adjective 1. widespread, general, common, whole, total, entire, catholic, unlimited, ecumenical, omnipresent, all-embracing, overarching, one-size-fits-all adjective 2. global, worldwide, international, pandemic USAGE The use of more universal as in his writings have long been admired by fellow scientists, but his latest book should have more universal appeal is acceptable in modern English usage.
Translations
|
|