multi-purpose

Meaning

1. 1adjectivebefore a noun

   Able to be used for several different jobs or in several different ways.

   Grammar: Usually comes before a noun: a multi-purpose tool, not usually the tool is multi-purpose.

   Patterns

   • a multi-purpose room
   • a multi-purpose tool

   A multi-purpose cleaner can be used on the kitchen counter and the bathroom floor.

   The school hall is a multi-purpose room used for sports and concerts.

   I bought a multi-purpose tool that includes a knife and a screwdriver.

Common combinations

multi-purpose room

The multi-purpose room can hold up to a hundred people.

multi-purpose tool

He keeps a multi-purpose tool in the glove box.

multi-purpose cleaner

A multi-purpose cleaner saves money.

multi-purpose space

The multi-purpose space is used for classes and parties.

multi-purpose vehicle

They bought a multi-purpose vehicle for the family.

Synonyms and how they differ

versatile

Versatile is broader and can describe people as well as objects, while multi-purpose usually describes things.

all-purpose

All-purpose suggests it works for almost any job, whereas multi-purpose means several jobs.

flexible

Flexible means it can adapt or be adjusted, not necessarily that it has many uses.

general-purpose

General-purpose is more technical and suggests not being specialized, as in computing or tools.

Opposites

Word family

purpose noun

the reason something is done or exists

multipurpose adjective

variant spelling without a hyphen

purposeful adjective

having a clear aim

multi-use adjective

made for more than one use

Commonly confused: multi-purpose or multiple?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “multi-purpose”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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