all-purpose

[ awl-pur-puhs ]

adjective

1. for every purpose:

   an all-purpose detergent.

all-purpose

adjective

1. useful for many things

Word History and Origins

Origin of all-purpose¹

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

It calls for rooting out “waste, fraud, and abuse,” that all-purpose chimera evoked by budget-cutters as a painless way of reducing costs, but which no one ever seems to accomplish.

From Los Angeles Times

The person setting all this in motion is a Harkonnen, a name associated in the movie “Dune”-iverse with violent strongman rulership and all-purpose villainy.

From Salon

Podcasters validate their fears and doubts, cite fallacious research, or more speciously, quote the all-purpose source of “some” or “they” without evidence.

From Salon

Tonga finished with 160 rushing yards and 88 receiving yards, leading the Olympians in all-purpose yardage.

From Los Angeles Times

Banning, which won its 13th City Section football title last year, ended the night with 364 all-purpose yards as Dorsey coach Stafon Johnson and the Dons never found the solution to stop the Pilots’ offense.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• advantageous
• appropriate
• convenient
• effective
• favorable
• fruitful
• good
• handy
• helpful
• practical
• pragmatic
• profitable
• proper
• suitable