Definitions for universal
ˌyu nəˈvɜr səluni·ver·sal

Princeton's WordNet(3.83 / 6 votes)Rate this definition:

1. universal, linguistic universalnoun

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

2. universal, universal propositionnoun

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

3. universalnoun

   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, universaladjective

   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-wideadjective

   of worldwide scope or applicability

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

6. universaladjective

   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. universaladjective

   adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations

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

Wiktionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. universalnoun

   A characteristic or property that particular things have in common.

   Etymology: From universalis.

2. universaladjective

   Of or pertaining to the universe.

   Etymology: From universalis.

3. universaladjective

   Common to all members of a group or class.

   Etymology: From universalis.

4. universaladjective

   Common to all society; world-wide

   She achieved universal fame.

   Etymology: From universalis.

5. universaladjective

   Cosmic; unlimited; vast; infinite

   Etymology: From universalis.

6. universaladjective

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

   Etymology: From universalis.

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

1. Universaladjective

   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. Universaladjective

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

3. Universaladjective

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

4. Universaladjective

   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. Universalnoun

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

6. Universalnoun

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

7. Universalnoun

   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.]

Editors Contribution(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. universal

   Applicable to every human being

   The Universal Declaration of Human Rights is applicable to everyone on planet earth.

   Submitted by MaryC on April 11, 2020  

2. universal

   Relating to the universe.

   The universal truth is that we are one humanity creating together for the benefit of all humanity, animals and nature.

   Submitted by MaryC on February 15, 2020  

Matched Categories

1. • Convention
   • Linguistics
   • Logic
   • Proposition
   • Rule

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

How to pronounce universal?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say universal in sign language?

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. Sir Karl Popper:

   There is an almost universal tendency, perhaps an inborn tendency, to suspect the good faith of a man who holds opinions that differ from our own opinions... It obviously endangers the freedom and the objectivity of our discussion if we attack a person instead of attacking an opinion or, more precisely, a theory.

2. Butch Patrick:

   I did this crazy show at Universal Studios with a bunch of wonderful people that, to this day, is still one of them most popular TV show on the planet, and I have an extended family all around the world of people who are fans of the show I did.

3. Mick Fleetwood:

   All of these things mean everything to me because without that I wouldn't be standing here( without arts education), and it's something that is universal -- and vaguely political, but not really.

4. Simone Weil:

   The beauty of the world is the tender smile of Christ to us through matter. He is really present in universal beauty. Love of this beauty proceeds from God and descends into our souls and goes out to God present in the universe. It too is something like a sacrament.

5. John Stuart Mill:

   And it is not difficult to show, by abundant instances, that to extend the bounds of what may be called moral police, until it encroaches on the most unquestionably legitimate liberty of the individual, is one of the most universal of all human propensities.

Images & Illustrations of universal

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