universal
gb/jˌunəvˈɚsəl/ us/jˌunəvˈɚsəl/
B1
English
~ 3000
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B2
property
1
True or present everywhere
Happening or true in every place or for every person.
Usage pattern:
[something] is universal
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'universal' with 'general'; 'general' means common but not necessarily true everywhere.
Synonyms
global (Often used for things covering the whole world, especially geographically.)
|
worldwide (Focuses on something happening across the entire world.)
Antonyms
local (Applies only to a specific area or group.)
|
particular (Applies only to some cases, not all.)
Collocations
universal truth
|universal value
|universal language
|universal right
|universal appeal
Themes
philosophy
|general
|culture
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- Human rights are considered a universal principle.
- The desire for happiness is universal.
- This law has universal application across the country.
- Laughter is often called a universal language.
- Climate change is a universal concern.
Learner examples
- Love is a universal feeling.
- The Internet is a universal tool.
- Music is a universal language.
- Smiling is a universal sign of happiness.
adjective
B1
property
2
Suitable for many purposes
Good for many different uses or situations.
Usage pattern:
[something] is universal
Common mistake:
Learners may think 'universal' always means 'everywhere', but here it means 'usable in many situations'.
Synonyms
versatile (Emphasizes adaptability and usefulness in many situations.)
Antonyms
specialized (Made for one specific use only.)
Collocations
universal remote
|universal charger
|universal adapter
Themes
technology
|daily life
|core_vocabulary
|daily_life
Examples
- I bought a universal remote for my TV and stereo.
- This software has a universal design that works on all devices.
- A universal charger can power different brands of phones.
Learner examples
- This is a universal tool.
- I need a universal charger.
- He used a universal key to open the doors.
Noun
technical
C1
entity
3
Rule applying to all cases
A rule or fact that is true in all cases.
Usage pattern:
a universal of [something]
Synonyms
absolute (Something that does not change depending on context.)
Antonyms
relative (Changes depending on situation or context.)
Collocations
moral universal
|cultural universals
Themes
philosophy
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The philosopher argued that justice is a moral universal.
- Anthropologists study cultural universals shared by all human societies.
Learner examples
- Freedom is a universal in many countries.
- Smiling is a universal in human life.
Grammar
Dictionary form
universal
IPA
GB/jˌunəvˈɚsəl/
US/jˌunəvˈɚsəl/
Syllables & stress
uni - ver - sal (3 syllables)
Stress on 3rd syllable (sal)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: universal
Noun
- Base: universal
- Plural: universals
Word family
Forms
universals
noun
Core family
universe
noun B1
universally
adverb B2
Related words
universality
noun
Negative and opposite forms
non-universal
adjective
Advanced or less common
universalize
verb
Expressions
universal appeal
1/jˌunəvˈɚsəl əpˈil/
fixed phrase
Attracts all kinds of people
The quality of being liked by people from everywhere and of all kinds.
Examples
- The movie has universal appeal across generations.
- Her story has a universal appeal that resonates worldwide.
universal language
1/jˌunəvˈɚsəl lˈæŋɡwɪd͡ʒ/
fixed phrase
Communication understood by everyone
A way of speaking or expressing ideas that everyone can understand.
Examples
- Music is often called the universal language.
- Mathematics can be seen as a universal language.
universal truth
1/jˌunəvˈɚsəl tɹˈuθ/
fixed phrase
Fact always true everywhere
A fact that is always true in every place and time.
Examples
- It is a universal truth that people need water to live.
- The book explores several universal truths about human nature.