# universally

/ˌjunəˈvɝsəɫi/ (US) · /jˌuːnɪvˈɜːsəli/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/universally
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. by everyone

adverb · CEFR B2

by everyone in the world or by everyone in a specific group.

For teachers: 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.

### 2. in all cases

adverb · CEFR C1 · Academic

in every situation or for every person, without any exceptions.

For teachers: 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.

## Examples

- The new movie was universally loved by critics.
- The right to a fair trial is universally recognized as a fundamental human right.
- While local customs vary significantly, the need for social connection is universally acknowledged as a core component of human well-being.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.