How to pronounce universal
Say it like yoo-nuh-VUR-sul. Universal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VUR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce universal. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- yoo
- nuh
- VUR
- sul
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Universal pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- yooGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "oo" in food.
- nuhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- VURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- sulKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of universal
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: yoo-nih-VUR-sul.
What does universal mean?
- of worldwide scope or applicability“an issue of cosmopolitan import”“the shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time”
- 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”
- (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”
Where does universal come from?
From Middle English universal, from Old French universal (modern French universel), from Latin ūniversālis, equivalent to universe + -al.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with universal
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of universal.
Questions about saying universal
How do you pronounce universal?
Say yoo-nuh-VUR-sul. The American pronunciation is /ˌjunəˈvɝsəl/. In British English it is /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in universal?
Universal has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (VUR). Broken into parts: yoo · nuh · VUR · sul.
Is universal pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˌjuːnɪˈvɜːsəl/ (yoo-nih-VUR-sul).