Definition of universal Universal

/juˌnʌvɚˈsʌl/ - [yunuversul] - u•ni•ver•sal

We found 25 definitions of universal from 6 different sources.

What does universal mean?

WordNet

Noun Plural: universals
universal - (logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
		universal proposition
		particular proposition, particular a fact about some part (as opposed to general); "he always reasons from the particular to the general"
		proposition a task to be dealt with; "securing adequate funding is a time-consuming proposition"
		logic reasoned and reasonable judgment; "it made a certain kind of logic"
universal - (linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages
		linguistic universal
		linguistic rule, rule measuring stick consisting of a strip of wood or metal or plastic with a straight edge that is used for drawing straight lines and measuring lengths
universal - 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"
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"
		universal joint
		coupler, coupling the act of pairing a male and female for reproductive purposes; "the casual couplings of adolescents"; "the mating of some species occurs only in the spring"
Adjective
universal - adapted to various purposes, sizes, forms, operations; "universal wrench", "universal chuck"; "universal screwdriver"
universal - 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"
universal - of worldwide scope or applicability; "an issue of cosmopolitan import"; "the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time"- Christopher Morley; "universal experience"
		cosmopolitan, ecumenical, oecumenical, general, worldwide, world-wide
		comprehensive including all or everything; "comprehensive coverage"; "a comprehensive history of the revolution"; "a comprehensive survey"; "a comprehensive education"

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Wiktionary

universal (Noun)
A characteristic or property that particular things have in common.
universal (Adjective)
Of or pertaining to the universe.
universal (Adjective)
Common to all members of a group or class.
universal (Adjective)
Common to all society; world-wide.
universal (Adjective)
Cosmic; unlimited; vast; infinite.
universal (Adjective)
Useful for many purposes, e. g. , universal wrench.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

universal (a.)
Of or pertaining to the universe; extending to, including, or affecting, the whole number, quantity, or space; unlimited; general; all-reaching; all-pervading; as, universal ruin; universal good; universal benevolence or benefice.
universal (a.)
Constituting or considered as a whole; total; entire; whole; as, the universal world.
universal (a.)
Adapted or adaptable to all or to various uses, shapes, sizes, etc.; as, a universal milling machine.
universal (a.)
Forming the whole of a genus; relatively unlimited in extension; affirmed or denied of the whole of a subject; as, a universal proposition; -- opposed to particular; e. g. (universal affirmative) All men are animals; (universal negative) No men are omniscient.
universal (n.)
The whole; the general system of the universe; the universe.
universal (n.)
A general abstract conception, so called from being universally applicable to, or predicable of, each individual or species contained under it.
universal (n.)
A universal proposition. See Universal, a., 4.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

universal
Involving the entire earth; not limited or provincial in scope.
universal
Common to all members of a group or class.
universal
Of or pertaining to the universe.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

universal
ū-ni-vėr′sal, adj. comprehending, affecting, or extending to the whole: comprising all the particulars: applied to a great variety of uses.—n. a universal proposition, a general term, a universal concept.—n. Universalisā′tion.—v.t. Univer′salise.—ns. Univer′salism, the doctrine or belief of universal salvation, or the ultimate salvation of all mankind, and even of the fallen angels; Univer′salist, a believer in universalism.—adj. pertaining to such beliefs.—adj. Universalist′ic.—n. Universal′ity, state or quality of being universal.—adv. Univer′sally.—n. Univer′salness.—adj. Universan′imous, of one mind. [L. universalis—universus.]