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universal

/ˌjunəˈvɜɹs(ə)l/noun, adjective4 syllables

Universal means: of worldwide scope or applicability.

Synonyms for universal11

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

linguistic universal

noun, as in (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class

universal proposition

noun, as in coupling that connects two rotating shafts allowing freedom of movement in all directions

universal joint

adjective, as in of worldwide scope or applicability

cosmopolitan, ecumenical, oecumenical, general, worldwide, world-wide, comprehensive

adjective, as in applicable to or common to all members of a group or set

general

adjective, as in adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations

adaptable

Opposites of universal

particular

What does universal mean?7

adjective

1

of worldwide scope or applicability“an issue of cosmopolitan import”

2

applicable to or common to all members of a group or set“the play opened to universal acclaim”

3

adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations“universal wrench”

noun

1

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

2

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

3

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”

4

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”

Definitions from the Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.

What rhymes with universal?3

three syllables

rehearsalreversaldispersal
Show 40 near rhymes
personservicecurrentcertainversiongermancommercialpurposesurfacejournalpurchaseinternalurbandetermineddeterminecircleexternalcircuitpurchasedpersonsnervouscolonelversionscouragepurpleversusworshipconversionburdencontroversialgermansurgentnursescirclessurgeoneternalservantmerchantthermalservants

Universal in a sentence

  • Music is the only universal language, because it doesn't need decoding.Nylez
  • In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth is a revolutionary act.sacredceltic
  • A ball-pen became a universal handwriting tool, replacing fountain pen.yessoos
  • For a language to be universal, it is not enough to call it that.Ooneykcall
  • Love, in fact, is the agent of universal synthesis.carlosalberto
  • Film is one of the three universal languages, the other two: mathematics and music.carlosalberto
  • English is a universal language and is used all over the world.CK
  • The band's final album was met with universal acclaim.ddnktr

Sentences from Tatoeba, CC BY 2.0 FR, credited to their authors.

Forms of universal

as a noun

plural
universals