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universe

YOO-nih-vers /ˈjuːnɪvɜːrs/

nounC1GRESAT

formalgeneral

All of space and time and their contents, including planets, stars, galaxies, and all other forms of matter and energy.

Often used to refer to the cosmos as a whole, implying a vast, all-encompassing entity. Can also be used metaphorically for a person's entire world or experience.

The story behind the word. The word 'universe' comes from the Latin `universum`, which means 'all things, all people, the whole world.' It's formed from `unus` meaning 'one' and `versus`, the past participle of `vertere` meaning 'to turn.' The idea is of 'turned into one' or 'combined into one whole,' perfectly capturing the concept of everything existing as a single, unified entity.

Word relationships

cosmos: More philosophical or abstract, often implying order and harmony.
macrocosm: Emphasizes the large scale, often in contrast to a microcosm.

microcosm: A small system or community regarded as representative of a larger one.

Commonly confused with

galaxy: A galaxy is a massive, gravitationally bound system of stars, stellar remnants, interstellar gas, dust, and dark matter. The universe contains countless galaxies.

Word family

universal (adjective): relating to or characteristic of all or the whole.
universally (adverb): by everyone; in every case.

Collocations

expanding universe
observable universe
parallel universe
entire universe
vast universe

Idioms & expressions

the center of one's universe

Example sentences

"The observable universe is estimated to be about 93 billion light-years in diameter, a scale almost impossible to comprehend." Scientific explanation of the cosmos.
"Two possibilities exist: either we are alone in the universe or we are not. Both are equally terrifying." Philosophical contemplation.

Memory hook

Imagine a UNIcorn (one horn) turning (VERS) around to see everything in existence. UNI-VERSE = ONE TURN = everything.

When not to use

Avoid using it when a more specific term like 'galaxy' or 'solar system' would be more accurate for a smaller scale.

Fun facts

The term 'multiverse' is a theoretical concept suggesting there might be many universes beyond our own.
The Big Bang theory describes the universe's origin as an extremely hot, dense point that expanded rapidly.

Related words

galaxy, cosmic, star

Explore more words

metaphysical, paradigm, eternal, expanse, omnipresent, horizon