all-purpose

adjective

all-pur·​pose ˈȯl-ˈpər-pəs How to pronounce all-purpose (audio)
: suited for many purposes or uses

Examples of all-purpose in a Sentence

there's nothing wrong with all-purpose flour for baking bread, but flour with more gluten is better
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Into a large bowl, sift all-purpose flour, sugar, baking powder, instant espresso powder, cinnamon, and salt. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 Aug. 2025 These all-purpose mid- to late-season potatoes have smooth, white flesh and take 90 to 120 days to grow. Karen Brewer Grossman, Southern Living, 6 Aug. 2025 For the baker, there is a wide variety of specialty flours, including pizza, bread, pasta, gluten free oat, gluten free almond and all-purpose flour, in addition to coconut milk powder. Sarah Kyrcz, Hartford Courant, 6 Aug. 2025 Receiver Eddie Matthews and all-purpose Davian Franco were all-league second team last season. Steve Fryer, Oc Register, 31 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for all-purpose

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of all-purpose was in 1867

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“All-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-purpose. Accessed 21 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

all-purpose

adjective
all-pur·​pose
-ˈpər-pəs
: suitable for many uses
an all-purpose tool

More from Merriam-Webster on all-purpose

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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