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.
They are generally made of wood, vinyl, aluminum, or plastic and can take water or all-purpose cleaners Celluloid blinds are generally made of fabric and accordion up and down the window. Daley Quinn, Southern Living, 16 June 2025 This Summer—From $21 Daily Practice by Anthropologie Horizon Wide-leg Jumpsuit This all-purpose Anthropologie jumpsuit is ideal for exploring new cities in style. Elaina Verhoff, Travel + Leisure, 14 June 2025 Serves 4 Prep time: 10 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes Total cooking time: 30 minutes Ingredients ● 3 broccoli stems ● ½ cup all-purpose flour ● ½ cup unsweetened almond milk or other milk of choice ● ¾ cup breadcrumbs, panko or seasoned ● ½ teaspoon salt Instructions 1. Karla Walsh, CNN Money, 9 June 2025 Top off with new a sprinkle of worm castings and some organic, granular all-purpose fertilizer. Nan Sterman, San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 June 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

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Cite this Entry

“All-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-purpose. Accessed 2 Jul. 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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