all-purpose

adjective

all-pur·​pose ˈȯl-ˈpər-pəs 

: suited for many purposes or uses

Synonyms of all-purpose

• unlimited
• general
• general-purpose

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

Knight rushed for his second 100-yard game of the season and posted his third 100-yard-plus all-purpose game. — Connor Dullinger, Los Angeles Times, 28 Sep. 2026

Eligible products include hand tools, paint items, tape, soap, all-purpose cleaner and batteries. — Charlotte Observer, 24 Sep. 2026

Keep these surfaces clean by wiping the exteriors regularly with all-purpose cleaner, dish soap, or, if applicable, by putting them in the dishwasher. — Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Sep. 2026

Flora, who walked on in 2024 and was awarded a scholarship in January, finished with 296 all-purpose yards for the most by an Iowa State player since Leonard Johnson piled up 319 against Oklahoma State in 2008. — ABC News, 19 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for all-purpose

• multipurpose
• purpose

Kids Definition

all-purpose

adjective

all-pur·​pose

-ˈpər-pəs

: suitable for many uses

an all-purpose tool