all-purpose

adjective

all-pur·​pose ˈȯl-ˈpər-pəs How to pronounce all-purpose (audio)
Synonyms of all-purposenext
: 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.
Tan’s reference to GPUs, or graphics processing units, was meant to highlight the competitive landscape that customer chips face from these gold-standard all-purpose chips, dominated by Club name Nvidia . Zev Fima, CNBC, 12 Dec. 2025 The duo has combined for more than 2,000 all-purpose yards and 38 rushing TDs. Charles Baggarly, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Dec. 2025 For this recipe, add 2 cups (240g) of all-purpose flour to a bowl. Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 9 Dec. 2025 In a large bowl, sift all-purpose flour with sugar, baking soda, cinnamon, and salt. Karla Walsh, Better Homes & Gardens, 8 Dec. 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 16 Dec. 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

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