Universal - definition, pronunciation, transcription

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Amer.  |ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːrsl|  American pronunciation of the word universal
Brit.  |juːnɪˈvɜːs(ə)l|  British pronunciation of the word universal

noun

- (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages
- (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
- 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
- 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

adjective

- of worldwide scope or applicability (syn: cosmopolitan, ecumenical, general, oecumenical, world-wide, worldwide)
universal experience
- 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
- adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations
universal wrench
universal chuck
universal screwdriver

Extra examples

Overpopulation is a universal problem.

When an eruption involves the whole surface, it is said to be universal.

The guests were the objects of universal investigation.

These stories have universal appeal.

Leonardo da Vinci was a universal genius

Universal Postal Union

We took a tour of the Universal lot.

...the universal pipe dream that there exists somewhere an earthly Elysium where people live trouble-free lives...

...the nearly universal religious belief that God is omnipotent and omniscient...

Reverence for or worship of the dead is found in all societies, because belief in life after death is universal.

...a fervent apostle of universal health care...

...it's axiomatic that the instinct for self-preservation is universal throughout the animal kingdom...

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

Universal Decimal classification

We abstract from the concrete thing to a universal idea about it.

Word forms

noun
singular: universal
plural: universals
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