Origin: Latin suffix -al
Universal has 9 different meanings across 2 categories:
(linguistics) a grammatical rule (or other linguistic feature) that is found in all languages
"Linguists argue that subject-verb agreement is a universal feature of human language since every known culture requires it."
(logic) a proposition that asserts something of all members of a class
"In her logic lecture, the professor explained that a universal proposition makes a claim about every single member within a defined category."
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"
A characteristic or property that particular things have in common.
"The universal appeal of simple melodies is why lullabies are sung across every culture on Earth."
In plain English: A universal is something that applies to everyone everywhere without any exceptions.
"The company offered a universal key that opened every door in the building."
of worldwide scope or applicability
"an issue of cosmopolitan import"
"the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time"
"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"
Of or pertaining to the universe.
"The ancient philosopher believed that universal laws governed every star and planet in the cosmos."
In plain English: Universal means something that applies to everyone or everything without exception.
"The new app has a universal design that works on both phones and tablets."
Usage: Use this adjective when something applies everywhere in space and time, such as laws of physics that hold true across all galaxies. It is stronger than general terms like "common" because it implies no exceptions exist anywhere.
The word comes from the Latin ūniversālis, which is formed by combining universe with the suffix -al. It originally meant "pertaining to the whole universe."