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

Synonyms of all-purpose

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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.
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 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

Rhymes for all-purpose

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Browse Nearby Words

All-Pro
all-purpose
all-purpose flour
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Cite this Entry

“All-purpose.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/all-purpose. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

all-purpose

adjective
all-pur·​pose
-ˈpər-pəs
: suitable for many uses
an all-purpose tool
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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