Definitions for universal
ˌyu nəˈvɜr səluni·ver·sal

Princeton's WordNet(3.75 / 4 votes)Rate this definition:

1. universal, linguistic universal(noun)

   (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages

2. universal, universal proposition(noun)

   (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class

3. universal(noun)

   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"

4. universal joint, universal(adj)

   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"

5. cosmopolitan, ecumenical, oecumenical, general, universal, worldwide, world-wide(adj)

   of worldwide scope or applicability

   "an issue of cosmopolitan import"; "the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time"- Christopher Morley; "universal experience"

6. universal(adj)

   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"

7. universal(adj)

   adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations

   "universal wrench", "universal chuck"; "universal screwdriver"

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. universal(Noun)

   A characteristic or property that particular things have in common.

2. universal(Adjective)

   Of or pertaining to the universe.

3. universal(Adjective)

   Common to all members of a group or class.

4. universal(Adjective)

   Common to all society; world-wide

   She achieved universal fame.

5. universal(Adjective)

   Cosmic; unlimited; vast; infinite

6. universal(Adjective)

   Useful for many purposes, e.g., universal wrench.

Origin: From universalis.

Webster Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Universal(adj)

   of or pertaining to the universe; extending to, including, or affecting, the whole number, quantity, or space; unlimited; general; all-reaching; all-pervading; as, universal ruin; universal good; universal benevolence or benefice

2. Universal(adj)

   constituting or considered as a whole; total; entire; whole; as, the universal world

3. Universal(adj)

   adapted or adaptable to all or to various uses, shapes, sizes, etc.; as, a universal milling machine

4. Universal(adj)

   forming the whole of a genus; relatively unlimited in extension; affirmed or denied of the whole of a subject; as, a universal proposition; -- opposed to particular; e. g. (universal affirmative) All men are animals; (universal negative) No men are omniscient

5. Universal(noun)

   the whole; the general system of the universe; the universe

6. Universal(noun)

   a general abstract conception, so called from being universally applicable to, or predicable of, each individual or species contained under it

7. Universal(noun)

   a universal proposition. See Universal, a., 4

Freebase(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Universal

   In metaphysics, a universal is what particular things have in common, namely characteristics or qualities. In other words, universals are repeatable or recurrent entities that can be instantiated or exemplified by many particular things. For example, suppose there are two chairs in a room, each of which is green. These two chairs both share the quality of "being a chair," as well as greenness or the quality of being green. Metaphysicians call this quality that they share a "universal." There are three major kinds of qualities or characteristics: types or kinds, properties, and relations. These are all different types of universal. The noun "universal" contrasts with "individual", while the adjective "universal" contrasts with "particular". Paradigmatically, universals are abstract, whereas particulars are concrete. However, universals are not necessarily abstract and particulars are not necessarily concrete. For example, one might hold that numbers are particular yet abstract objects. Likewise, some philosophers, such as D.M. Armstrong, consider universals to be concrete. Most do not consider classes to be universals, although some prominent philosophers do, such as John Bigelow.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Universal

   ū-ni-vėr′sal, adj. comprehending, affecting, or extending to the whole: comprising all the particulars: applied to a great variety of uses.—n. a universal proposition, a general term, a universal concept.—n. Universalisā′tion.—v.t. Univer′salise.—ns. Univer′salism, the doctrine or belief of universal salvation, or the ultimate salvation of all mankind, and even of the fallen angels; Univer′salist, a believer in universalism.—adj. pertaining to such beliefs.—adj. Universalist′ic.—n. Universal′ity, state or quality of being universal.—adv. Univer′sally.—n. Univer′salness.—adj. Universan′imous, of one mind. [L. universalis—universus.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'universal' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #3631

2. Adjectives Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'universal' in Adjectives Frequency: #495

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of universal in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of universal in Pythagorean Numerology is: 4

Examples of universal in a Sentence

1. John Cryan:

   We are a universal bank.

2. Jean Jullien:

   Peace is a universal message.

3. Guillaume Devauchelle:

   There's no universal solution.

4. The Pope:

   We are thus facing a universal problem.

5. George Bernard Shaw:

   There is only one universal passion fear.

Images & Illustrations of universal

Popularity rank by frequency of use