universe
- 01 B1 Intermediate
everything that exists, including all stars, planets, and space.
the totality of all existing matter, energy, and space, often considered as a single entity.
Simple“Scientists are still trying to find out how large the universe actually is.”
In context“Modern cosmology suggests that the universe has been expanding at an accelerating rate since the Big Bang.”
Usageusually used with the definite article 'the'
- 02 B2 Upper Intermediate
the imaginary world where a story, movie, or game takes place.
the internal world and established rules within which a work of fiction or a franchise exists.
Simple“Fans love the complex history of the Star Wars universe.”
In context“The author spent years developing the linguistic and historical background of his fantasy universe to ensure internal consistency across the trilogy.”
- 03 C1 Advanced
a whole group of people or things that are being studied or considered.
the entire set of items or individuals from which a sample is drawn or to which a study applies.
Simple“The survey was sent to the entire universe of registered voters in the city.”
In context“In this statistical model, the universe of discourse is limited to adult residents who have lived in the region for over five years.”
Usageoften followed by 'of' and a noun phrase
SynonymsAntonyms - 04 B2 Upper Intermediate
a particular area of life or a person's personal world.
a distinct sphere of activity, experience, or social setting.
Simple“The two brothers lived in completely different social universes.”
In context“To the young artist, the universe of high-fashion galleries felt both intimidating and profoundly shallow.”
Usage universe itself
“It is thought to have formed 660m years after the big bang, astronomers’ leading theory as to how the universe began.”
“Some black holes roaming the Universe today may actually be older than the Big Bang.”
From Middle English universe, from Old French univers, from Latin universum (“all things, as a whole, the universe”), neuter of universus (“all together, whole, entire, collective, general, literally turned or combined into one”), from uni-, combining form of unus (“one”) + versus (“turned”), perfect passive participle of vertō (“to turn”). Analyzable as uni- + -verse through backformation of -verse.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.