universe
universe — noun
1. all matter, energy, stars, planets, and galaxies that exist, considered together
all matter, energy, stars, planets, and galaxies that exist, considered together as one complete system
Jiwoo learned that the universe contains billions of galaxies, each with millions of stars.
the universe contains + number + of + noun
Christopher pointed his telescope towards the night sky to observe distant parts of the universe.
observe distant parts of the universe
Kwame wondered whether the universe will keep expanding forever or eventually collapse.
Shirin read an article about how scientists measure the age of the universe.
The Big Bang is thought to have created the universe about 14 billion years ago.
文法句型
the universe
the universe + verb (contains, expands, began)
the + adjective + universe (observable, known, expanding)
用法筆記
Usually used with the definite article 'the' — 'the universe.' This sense is rarely used in the plural form.
常見錯誤
2. a separate version of reality that exists only in imagination or in theory, dist
a separate version of reality that exists only in imagination or in theory, distinct from the known universe we live in
Amani enjoyed science-fiction stories set in a universe where time flows backwards.
a universe where [clause]
Tariq read that some physicists believe every choice creates a new parallel universe.
every choice creates a new parallel universe
Sivan dreams of an alternate universe in which she chose a completely different career.
The film explores a universe ruled by machines instead of humans.
- alternate reality
more common in fiction, less technical
- parallel world
more general term, not limited to cosmology
文法句型
a/an + adjective + universe
a universe where/with/in which + clause
a universe of + noun
用法筆記
Often used with modifiers such as 'alternate,' 'parallel,' 'alternative,' or 'another' to distinguish it from our own universe. Common in science fiction and theoretical physics.
3. the particular area of life, activity, or experience that a person belongs to or
the particular area of life, activity, or experience that a person belongs to or is familiar with
Manuela's whole universe changed when she moved from her small town to the capital city.
possessive + universe
Hoa discovered a new universe of music after joining the school orchestra.
a new universe of [domain]
The universe of professional football is very different from what fans see on television.
Liam felt that his universe had collapsed when his parents said they were moving again.
文法句型
possessive + universe
the universe of + noun (field, activity)
a new universe
用法筆記
Often used with a possessive adjective ('my universe,' 'her universe') or an of-phrase ('the universe of publishing'). Metaphorical rather than literal — do not confuse with sense 1.
常見錯誤
4. a complete and self-contained system of ideas, rules, or knowledge that function
a complete and self-contained system of ideas, rules, or knowledge that functions independently and has its own internal logic
Élise studied the mathematical universe of non-Euclidean geometry in her advanced class.
the mathematical universe of [domain]
In the universe of computer programming, each language has its own rules and conventions.
in the universe of [domain]
Dr. Okafor described quantum mechanics as a universe governed by probabilities rather than certainties.
Jabari learned that the universe of classical music follows its own rules of harmony.
文法句型
the universe of + noun (mathematics, physics, ideas)
a/the + adjective + universe (mathematical, conceptual, moral)
用法筆記
Frequently used in academic and philosophical writing. Typically followed by 'of + domain' ('the universe of physics,' 'the universe of discourse'). The emphasis is on the system being self-contained, not on physical space.
5. in logic or mathematics, the complete collection of items, possibilities, or var
in logic or mathematics, the complete collection of items, possibilities, or variables that are being considered within a specific argument or problem
In logic class, the professor defined the universe as all possible outcomes of the experiment.
defined the universe as [set]
When solving the equation, you must first identify the universe of numbers that are allowed.
the universe of numbers
The universe of discourse in this argument includes only living species, not extinct ones.
Gita defined the universe of discourse as all integers between one and one hundred.
- universal set
the preferred term in set theory
- domain of discourse
interchangeable but less common
文法句型
the universe of discourse
universe of + plural noun (numbers, outcomes, elements)
define/identify + the universe
用法筆記
A technical term used mainly in logic, mathematics, and formal semantics. The phrase 'universe of discourse' is the most common expression in logic. In set theory, it is often called the 'universal set.'
6. in statistics and research, the complete group of people, objects, or data that
in statistics and research, the complete group of people, objects, or data that you want to study, from which a smaller sample is taken
The research universe consisted of all registered voters in the country over the age of 18.
universe consisted of [set]
Lakshmi defined her study universe as every patient treated at the hospital last year.
defined [possessive] study universe as
Wei sampled from a universe of fifty thousand voters for his research on election trends.
The marketing team surveyed a sample drawn from the universe of online shoppers aged 18 to 35.
- population
more common in modern statistical writing
- sampling frame
more specific — the actual list from which the sample is drawn
- sample
the subset taken from the universe
文法句型
study universe
universe of + plural noun/group (voters, patients, shoppers)
the + adjective + universe (entire, target, survey)
用法筆記
In modern statistics, 'population' is more common than 'universe,' though the two terms are interchangeable in this sense. 'Universe' is frequently used in survey methodology and market research.