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

Dell Slim Desktop Deal Dell's got the desktops, too, and this massive price cut on the all-purpose Dell Slim tower is well worth your time. — K. Thor Jensen, PC Magazine, 23 June 2026

Ciechorska recommends doing a 60-second pass each morning over the sink, faucet, and counter and keeping a small stack of microfiber cloths under the sink and a spray bottle of all-purpose cleaner to do this. — Sheila Kim, The Spruce, 22 June 2026

Some all-purpose cleaners or cleaners that shine can also leave a residue that makes your floors appear dirty or streaky so avoid those. — Mary Catherine McAnnally Scott, Southern Living, 22 June 2026

Thorstenson recommends applying organic fish emulsion throughout the growing season as a balanced all-purpose fertilizer. — Sj McShane, Martha Stewart, 18 June 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