Definition

1. Adjective:

   • Applicable to all cases or members of a group; common to all: Something that is "universal" is true, done, or experienced by everyone in a particular group or in all cases.
   • Of worldwide scope or applicability: Something that exists, is understood, or is used everywhere in the world.
   • Adapted for many purposes or uses: A tool or device that can be used in many different situations.

2. Noun:

   • A general or widely held concept, principle, or pattern: A behavior, idea, or rule that is found in all members of a particular culture or in all humans.
   • A coupling in machinery: A joint that allows connected shafts to move freely in different directions.
   • (Logic) A universal proposition: A statement that asserts something about every member of a class.
   • (Linguistics) A linguistic universal: A grammatical rule or feature found in all known languages.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • The desire for happiness is a universal human emotion.
  • The film received universal praise from critics.
  • This is a universal remote control; it can operate many brands of televisions.

• Noun:

  • The use of facial expressions to show emotion is considered a human universal.
  • The drive shaft is connected to the axle via a universal joint.
  • Linguists study universals, such as the fact that all languages have nouns and verbs.

Advanced Usage

• Universal truth: A statement or principle that is true in all situations and for all people.
  • One universal truth is that change is constant.
• Universal design: The design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without the need for adaptation.
  • Curb cuts are an example of universal design, benefiting wheelchair users, parents with strollers, and delivery workers.

Variants and Related Words

• Universally (adverb): In a way that involves or is understood by everyone, everywhere.
  • This principle is universally accepted.
• Universality (noun): The quality of being universal, of involving or being understood by all.
  • The universality of the story's theme made it popular across cultures.

Synonyms

• Adjective: Global, worldwide, general, common, ubiquitous, all-encompassing, comprehensive.
• Noun: Constant, standard, norm, generality.

Related Phrases

• Universal solvent: A hypothetical substance capable of dissolving all other substances. (Often used metaphorically.)
• Universal time (UT): A time standard based on the Earth's rotation, used in astronomy and as a basis for civil timekeeping worldwide.

Related Idioms

• A universal panacea: A supposed remedy that can cure all diseases or solve all problems. (Often used skeptically.)
  • The new policy is being promoted as a universal panacea for the economy's troubles.

Adjective

1. adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations
   • universal wrench, universal chuck
   • universal screwdriver
2. 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
3. of worldwide scope or applicability
   • an issue of cosmopolitan import
   • the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time- Christopher Morley
   • universal experience

Noun

1. 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
2. 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
3. (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
4. (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages