general-purpose

adjective

gen·​er·​al-pur·​pose ˈjen-rəl-ˈpər-pəs 

ˈje-nə-

: suitable to be used for two or more basic purposes

Synonyms of general-purpose

• unlimited
• general
• unrestricted

Examples of general-purpose in a Sentence

a general-purpose glue for routine household repairs

Recent Examples on the Web

The typical culprit is a lack of nitrogen, which is easily remedied with a general-purpose fertilizer. — Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 June 2026

As the industry continues to grow, the future of American resilience will lie in general-purpose robots that can protect companies against global disruption. — Amanda McMaster, Fortune, 30 June 2026

The 13th-generation Intel Core i7 processor is one of our top picks for general-purpose mobile computing, designed from the ground up with power efficiency in mind. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 30 June 2026

Users can employ instructive prompts to guide general-purpose AI models into this iterative mode, fostering deeper, more empathetic engagement. — Lance Eliot, Forbes.com, 30 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for general-purpose

• multipurpose
• purpose