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Universal vs. Versatile — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Universal and Versatile

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Definitions

Universal

Of, relating to, or affecting the entire universe
The universal laws of physics.

Versatile

Able to adapt or be adapted to many different functions or activities
A versatile sewing machine
He was versatile enough to play on either wing

Universal

Including, relating to, or affecting all members of the class or group under consideration; applicable in all cases
Universal vaccination.
Universal suffrage.

Versatile

Changeable; inconstant.

Universal

Done, produced, or shared by all members of the class or group under consideration
A discovery that met with universal acclaim.
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Versatile

Capable of doing many things competently.

Universal

Adapted or adjustable to many sizes, uses, or devices
A universal remote control.

Versatile

Having varied uses or serving many functions
"The most versatile of vegetables is the tomato" (Craig Claiborne).

Universal

(Logic)Encompassing all of the members of a class or group. Used of a proposition.

Versatile

Variable or inconstant; changeable
A versatile temperament.
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Universal

A universal proposition.

Versatile

(Biology) Capable of moving freely in all directions, as the loosely attached anthers of certain flowers.

Universal

A general or abstract concept or term considered absolute or axiomatic.

Versatile

Capable of doing many things competently.

Universal

A general or widely held principle, concept, or notion.

Versatile

Having varied uses or many functions.

Universal

A trait or pattern of behavior characteristic of all the members of a particular culture or of all humans.

Versatile

Changeable or inconstant.

Universal

Of or pertaining to the universe.

Versatile

(biology) Capable of moving freely in all directions.

Universal

Common to all members of a group or class.

Versatile

(gay slang) Capable of taking either a penetrative (top) or receptive (bottom) role in anal sex.

Universal

Common to all society; worldwide.
She achieved universal fame.

Versatile

(BDSM) Being a switch; capable of taking either a dominant or a submissive role.

Universal

Unlimited; vast; infinite.

Versatile

Capable of being turned round.

Universal

Useful for many purposes; all-purpose.
Universal wrench

Versatile

Liable to be turned in opinion; changeable; variable; unsteady; inconstant; as, a versatile disposition.

Universal

(philosophy) A characteristic or property that particular things have in common.

Versatile

Turning with ease from one thing to another; readily applied to a new task, or to various subjects; many-sided; as, versatile genius; a versatile politician.
Conspicuous among the youths of high promise . . . was the quick and versatile [Charles] Montagu.

Universal

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.
The universal causeActs not by partial, but by general laws.
This universal frame began.

Versatile

Capable of turning; freely movable; as, a versatile anther, which is fixed at one point to the filament, and hence is very easily turned around; a versatile toe of a bird.

Universal

Constituting or considered as a whole; total; entire; whole; as, the universal world.
At which the universal host up dentA shout that tore Hell's concave.

Versatile

(used of persons) having many skills

Universal

Adapted or adaptable to all or to various uses, shapes, sizes, etc.; as, a universal milling machine.

Versatile

Having great diversity or variety;
His various achievements are impressive
His vast and versatile erudition

Universal

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.

Versatile

Changeable or inconstant;
Versatile moods

Universal

The whole; the general system of the universe; the universe.
Plato calleth God the cause and original, the nature and reason, of the universal.

Versatile

Competent in many areas and able to turn with ease from one thing to another;
A versatile writer

Universal

A general abstract conception, so called from being universally applicable to, or predicable of, each individual or species contained under it.

Versatile

Able to move freely in all directions;
An owl's versatile toe can move backward and forward
An insect's versatile antennae can move up and down or laterally
A versatile anther of a flower moves freely in the wind

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

Of worldwide scope or applicability;
An issue of cosmopolitan import
The shrewdest political and ecumenical comment of our time
Universal experience

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