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

Porta platters, Emporio Sirenuse dipping bowls, classic Christofle silver, Guy Degrenne all-purpose wine glasses for wine, water, and spritzes. — Elly Leavitt, Vogue, 4 Sep. 2026

Add the all-purpose flour, almond flour, salt, baking powder, and baking soda and comb through with your hands to combine and break up any lumps. — ABC News, 3 Sep. 2026

Immediately reduce heat to medium; add ⅔ cup all-purpose flour all at once and stir quickly until most of the flour is absorbed. — Alexia Duchêne, Bon Appetit Magazine, 3 Sep. 2026

Barnett racked up 1,450 all-purpose yards and 20 touchdowns as a senior. — Pj Green august 30, Kansas City Star, 30 Aug. 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