Word
universally
Phoneticsuni·ver·sal·ly
US/ˌjunəˈvɝsəɫi/
UK/jˌuːnɪvˈɜːsəli/
Adverb of manner
Definitions
01by everyone
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adv. by everyone in the world or by everyone in a specific group.
adv. by all people or in all cases; indicating a consensus or a global application.
“The film was universally loved by both children and adults.”
“The theory was universally accepted by the scientific community after the results were replicated in several independent laboratories.”
Usage
Often used to modify adjectives like 'accepted', 'recognised', or 'loved' to show total agreement.
Synonyms
02in all cases
C1 · Advanced Academic
adv. in every situation or for every person, without any exceptions.
adv. in a manner that applies to all members of a class or to the whole of a system.
“These rules do not apply universally to every single business.”
“Philosophers have long debated whether certain moral principles can be applied universally across different cultures and historical eras.”
Usage
Frequently appears in academic or philosophical contexts when discussing laws or principles.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “universally” in context.
Verb
01. universally accept
“It is now universally accepted that smoking is harmful to your health.”
adv + verb
02. universally apply
“These safety regulations should universally apply to all factories in the country.”
adv + verb
Real-World Examples
“Not surprisingly, there is no equivalent universally accepted cannabis test that can say: this person is currently too impaired to fly.” “Maybe while men’s and women’s friendships may differ in specifics, the benefits people gain from these relationships are things that are universally valued and prioritized.” “But he wasn’t universally admired, especially within the military.” “It was surprising to find geological evidence showing that it isn't universally true.” Etymology
From Middle English universally; equivalent to universal + -ly.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/universally