universally
gb/jˌunəvˈɚsəli/ us/jˌunəvˈɚsəli/
B2
English
~ 6300
általánosan, egyöntetűen, széles körben, mindenütt, világszerte, minden esetben, kivétel nélkül
B2
FORMAL
1
Usage pattern:
[something] is universally [praised/accepted/condemned]
The new safety rules were universally praised by workers and managers alike.
Az új biztonsági szabályokat a dolgozók és a vezetők egyaránt egyöntetűen dicsérték.
The film is universally regarded as a classic of modern cinema.
A filmet általánosan a modern filmművészet klasszikusának tartják.
Racism is almost universally condemned in public discussion today.
Her talent was universally recognized within the industry.
The decision was not universally welcomed by the local community.
Learner examples
The book is universally loved by children.
A könyvet szinte minden gyerek szereti.
Smoking in offices is now almost universally banned.
Az irodákban a dohányzás ma már szinte mindenhol tilos.
The singer is universally famous in her country.
This law is not universally accepted.
Honesty is a value that is almost universally respected.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "universally" when they only mean "very" (e.g., *"The movie was universally good"*). "Universally" always includes the idea of agreement by everyone or almost everyone, not just a high degree. It is usually followed by a past participle like "accepted", "liked", "praised", or by verbs like "condemn" or "respect".
Meaning
by everyone; without exception
Collocations
universally accepted
|universally recognized
|universally acknowledged
|universally praised
|universally condemned
|almost universally
Synonyms
widely (Suggests many people, but not necessarily almost everyone; weaker and more informal than "universally".)
|
near-universally (Very close in meaning but less formal and explicitly allows a few exceptions.)
Antonyms
controversially (Describes something that causes disagreement instead of agreement by almost everyone.)
|
partially (Suggests that only some people agree, the opposite of agreement by all or almost all.)
Themes
society
|opinion
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
By all people, or almost all people, with no important exceptions.
By everyone, or by almost everyone, with no important exceptions.
B2
2
Usage pattern:
[something] is universally [available/popular/accessible]
Smartphones are now almost universally available, even in remote regions.
Az okostelefonok ma már szinte mindenütt elérhetők, még a távoli térségekben is.
Soccer is universally popular and played in nearly every country.
A futball világszerte népszerű, és szinte minden országban játsszák.
The internet has made certain songs universally recognizable across cultures.
Clean drinking water is still not universally accessible.
The company aims to make its services universally available by 2030.
Learner examples
This drink is universally popular in Europe and Asia.
Ez az ital Európában és Ázsiában is szinte mindenhol népszerű.
Seat belts are now almost universally used in cars.
Az autókban ma már szinte mindenhol használnak biztonsági övet.
The symbol is universally understood in many countries.
Electricity is not yet universally available in rural areas.
The show became universally known after it was put online.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse this sense with the opinion-based sense and say things like *"universally happy"* when they only mean "people everywhere are happy". For place-based meaning, "universally" usually goes with words like "available", "popular", "used", "accessible", or "known" that can describe spread across locations or cultures.
Meaning
everywhere; in all places
Collocations
universally available
|universally popular
|universally accessible
|universally used
|almost universally
Synonyms
everywhere (More informal and very broad; focuses strongly on place but less on the idea of "no exceptions" than "universally".)
|
worldwide (Emphasizes across the world; often used for global presence or distribution.)
Antonyms
locally (Describes something that exists only in a small area, the opposite of existing in all or almost all places.)
|
regionally (Limited to a region, not spread across all or almost all places.)
Themes
geography
|culture
|society
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In all places, or in almost all places and cultures.
In all or almost all places or societies, without important geographical or cultural exceptions.
C1
FORMAL
3
Usage pattern:
[a rule/principle] applies universally
The theory does not apply universally and fails in extreme conditions.
Az elmélet nem alkalmazható minden esetben, és szélsőséges körülmények között nem működik.
This principle is almost universally valid across different legal systems.
Ez az elv a különböző jogrendszerekben szinte kivétel nélkül érvényes.
No rule holds universally; there are always exceptions.
The findings cannot be universally generalized to all age groups.
The statement is true locally but not universally.
Learner examples
This rule does not work universally.
Ez a szabály nem működik minden esetben.
The law does not apply universally to every situation.
A törvény nem vonatkozik kivétel nélkül minden helyzetre.
The idea cannot be used universally in all cultures.
The formula is not universally correct.
This method is good, but it does not help universally.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use "universally" instead of "usually" or "often" in academic writing. "Universally" is very strong and means "in all cases"; using it when there are exceptions can sound incorrect or careless, especially in scientific or formal contexts.
Meaning
in every case; without exception
Collocations
applies universally
|hold universally
|universally valid
|universally true
|universally applicable
|not universally true
Synonyms
always (Common and less formal; means in every case, but does not carry the same careful, logical tone as "universally".)
|
without exception (Highlights that there are no exceptions; often used more emphatically and less technically than "universally".)
Antonyms
sometimes (Means only in some cases, directly opposing the idea of being true in all cases.)
|
in some cases (Explicitly limits truth to certain situations, the opposite of applying in every situation.)
Themes
science
|logic
|academia
|technology
|core_vocabulary
Definition
In all cases or situations, with no exceptions.
In every case or situation, without exception; applying to all instances of something.
Grammar
Dictionary form
universally
IPA
GB/jˌunəvˈɚsəli/
US/jˌunəvˈɚsəli/
Syllables & stress
uni - ver - sally (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (sally)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: universally
- Plural: universallies
Word family
Expressions
almost universally
1/ˈɔlmˌoʊst jˌunəvˈɚsəli/
fixed phrase
by nearly everyone; in nearly all cases
By nearly everyone, or in nearly all places or cases, but with a few exceptions.
Examples
- The proposal was almost universally supported by the committee.
- This view is almost universally held among experts.
- The policy was almost universally welcomed, with only a few critics.
apply universally
1/əplˈaɪ jˌunəvˈɚsəli/
fixed phrase
formal
be valid in every case
To be true or useful in every case or situation, with no exceptions.
Examples
- This rule does not apply universally; there are important exceptions.
- The findings cannot be assumed to apply universally to all cultures.
- The formula applies universally only under ideal conditions.
universally accepted
1/jˌunəvˈɚsəli æksˈɛptɪd/
fixed phrase
formal
accepted by everyone or almost everyone
Accepted by all people, or almost all people, with no serious disagreement.
Examples
- It is universally accepted that regular exercise benefits health.
- The constitution is not universally accepted as legitimate by all groups.
- This theory was once universally accepted but is now questioned.
universally acclaimed
1/jˌunəvˈɚsəli əklˈeɪmd/
fixed phrase
formal
praised by everyone or almost everyone
Praised and liked by almost everyone who sees or knows it.
Examples
- The film was universally acclaimed by critics.
- Her performance in the play was universally acclaimed.
- The new product was not universally acclaimed, but it sold well.
universally acknowledged
1/jˌunəvˈɚsəli æknˈɑlɪd͡ʒd/
fixed phrase
formal
openly accepted as true by all
Openly accepted as true by almost everyone.
Examples
- It is a universally acknowledged fact that education can reduce poverty.
- The book’s influence is universally acknowledged by scholars.
- His leadership skills are universally acknowledged within the company.
universally popular
1/jˌunəvˈɚsəli pˈɑpjəlɚ/
fixed phrase
liked by almost everyone
Liked by almost all people, often in many places or cultures.
Examples
- The new app became universally popular within months of its launch.
- Ice cream is almost universally popular among children.
- The singer’s latest song is not universally popular, but it has many fans.
universally recognized
1/jˌunəvˈɚsəli ɹˈɛkəɡnˌaɪzd/
fixed phrase
formal
known and accepted by everyone
Known and accepted by all people, or almost all people.
Examples
- She is universally recognized as one of the greatest writers of her generation.
- The logo is universally recognized, even by children.
- Climate change is now universally recognized as a serious problem.