universe

/ˈjuːnɪvɜːs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈjuːnɪvɜːrs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈyü-nə-ˌvərs/ (ame, mw)

universe — 名詞

  • universesingular
  • universesplural

1. all matter, energy, stars, planets, and galaxies that exist, considered together

1.名詞A2
釋義

宇宙

包含所有星系與物質的整個太空

all matter, energy, stars, planets, and galaxies that exist, considered together as one complete system

例句

Jiwoo learned that the universe contains billions of galaxies, each with millions of stars.

Jiwoo 學到宇宙包含數十億個星系，每個星系都有數百萬顆恆星。

the universe contains + number + of + noun

Christopher pointed his telescope towards the night sky to observe distant parts of the universe.

Christopher 將望遠鏡指向夜空，觀察宇宙中遙遠的部分。

observe distant parts of the universe

同義詞
  • cosmos

    more poetic or philosophical, often implies an ordered system

  • space

    broader term that can mean the empty area between objects, not a complete system

  • creation

    adds a religious perspective that a divine force brought everything into being

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

❌The Milky Way is the universe.
✅The Milky Way is a galaxy within the universe.
💡A galaxy is a single system of stars, while the universe contains all galaxies.

2. a separate version of reality that exists only in imagination or in theory, dist

2.名詞B2
釋義

平行宇宙

想像或理論中存在的獨立世界

a separate version of reality that exists only in imagination or in theory, distinct from the known universe we live in

例句

Amani enjoyed science-fiction stories set in a universe where time flows backwards.

Amani 很喜歡看那些以時間倒流的宇宙為背景的科幻故事。

a universe where [clause]

Tariq read that some physicists believe every choice creates a new parallel universe.

Tariq 讀到有些物理學家相信每一次選擇都會產生一個新的平行宇宙。

every choice creates a new parallel universe

同義詞

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

3.名詞B1
釋義

領域；天地

某人熟悉或歸屬的活動領域

the particular area of life, activity, or experience that a person belongs to or is familiar with

例句

Manuela's whole universe changed when she moved from her small town to the capital city.

Manuela 從小鎮搬到首都後，她的整個世界都改變了。

possessive + universe

Hoa discovered a new universe of music after joining the school orchestra.

Hoa 加入學校樂團後，發現了一片全新的音樂天地。

a new universe of [domain]

同義詞
  • world

    more common in everyday speech, less dramatic

  • sphere

    suggests a more clearly defined domain of activity

  • realm

    more formal or literary in tone

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

❌The universe of this classroom is very small.' (too literal, sounds odd).
✅The world of this classroom is very small.
💡For physical scale, use 'world' or 'space'; reserve 'universe' for areas of experience or activity.

4. a complete and self-contained system of ideas, rules, or knowledge that function

4.名詞C1
釋義

體系

獨立且自成一體的知識規則系統

a complete and self-contained system of ideas, rules, or knowledge that functions independently and has its own internal logic

例句

Élise studied the mathematical universe of non-Euclidean geometry in her advanced class.

Élise 在高級課程中學習了非歐幾何的數學體系。

the mathematical universe of [domain]

In the universe of computer programming, each language has its own rules and conventions.

在程式設計的世界裡，每種語言都有自己的規則和慣例。

in the universe of [domain]

同義詞
  • system

    more general, less grand in tone

  • domain

    focuses on scope rather than self-contained structure

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

5.名詞C1
釋義

論域

討論中所涵蓋的全部對象

in logic or mathematics, the complete collection of items, possibilities, or variables that are being considered within a specific argument or problem

例句

In logic class, the professor defined the universe as all possible outcomes of the experiment.

在邏輯課上，教授將論域定義為該實驗所有可能的結果。

defined the universe as [set]

When solving the equation, you must first identify the universe of numbers that are allowed.

解方程式時，必須先確定允許使用的數字範圍。

the universe of numbers

同義詞

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

6.名詞B2
釋義

母體

統計學中用來抽樣的完整對象集合

in statistics and research, the complete group of people, objects, or data that you want to study, from which a smaller sample is taken

例句

The research universe consisted of all registered voters in the country over the age of 18.

該研究母體包含該國所有年滿18歲的登記選民。

universe consisted of [set]

Lakshmi defined her study universe as every patient treated at the hospital last year.

Lakshmi 將她的研究母體定義為去年在該醫院就診的所有病患。

defined [possessive] study universe as

同義詞
  • population

    more common in modern statistical writing

  • sampling frame

    more specific — the actual list from which the sample is drawn

反義詞
  • 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.