Definitions
01applying to everyone
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. existing everywhere or involving everyone in the world or a specific group.
adj. relating to or affecting the entire world or all people within a particular group.
“The desire for a happy life is a universal human feeling.”
“The committee argued that access to clean water should be recognized as a universal human right, regardless of a nation's economic status.”
Antonyms
02all-purpose
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. designed to be used for many different purposes or to fit many different things.
adj. capable of being used for various purposes or adapted to different sizes and shapes.
“I bought a universal remote that works with the TV and the DVD player.”
“The technician recommended a universal mounting bracket, as it was compatible with several different monitor brands.”
Antonyms
03a shared quality
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Philosophy Academic · Formal
n. a quality or feature that many different things have in common.
n. a property or characteristic that is shared by all members of a class or group of particular things.
“Philosophers often discuss whether 'redness' is a universal that exists on its own.”
“The debate centered on whether beauty is a true universal or merely a subjective experience that varies between cultures.”
Usage
Often used in contrast with 'particulars' in philosophical logic.
Teaching tip
This is a highly specialized sense; students will likely only encounter it in academic texts regarding logic or metaphysics.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “universal” in context.
Verb
01. achieve universal recognition
“The scientist's groundbreaking research helped her achieve universal recognition in her field.”
verb + adj + noun
02. provide universal access
“The government aims to provide universal access to high-speed internet by next year.”
verb + adj + noun
Adjective
03. universal healthcare
“Many citizens believe that access to universal healthcare is a fundamental human right.”
adj + noun
04. almost universal
“The decision to shorten the work week met with almost universal approval from the staff.”
adv + adj
05. universal appeal
“The movie's themes of love and loss give it a universal appeal that transcends cultures.”
adj + noun
Noun
06. declaration of universal rights
“The international committee drafted a new declaration of universal rights for all refugees.”
noun + of + adj + noun
07. universal remote control
“I bought a universal remote control so I wouldn't have to use four different devices.”
adj + noun + noun
08. universal credit
Real-World Examples
“At any rate, the researchers were unable to detect a universal "social media effect" across regions and platforms.” “He added: "This new class of universal vaccines are future-proofed.” Etymology
From Middle English universal, from Old French universal (modern French universel), from Latin ūniversālis, equivalent to universe + -al.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
Related words
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper IntermediateOxford
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/universal
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0