Meaning & use
multipurpose
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Meaning
adjectivebefore a noun
Able to be used for several different purposes or functions.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a multipurpose room.
Patterns
- a multipurpose tool
- a multipurpose room
- a multipurpose vehicle
This multipurpose knife can cut, open bottles, and tighten screws.
The community center has a multipurpose room for meetings and parties.
They bought a multipurpose vehicle that works for both city driving and camping.
Common combinations
- multipurpose tool
- A multipurpose tool is handy for small repairs.
- multipurpose room
- The school uses the multipurpose room for assemblies and exams.
- multipurpose vehicle
- The family chose a multipurpose vehicle for its flexibility.
Synonyms and how they differ
- all-purpose
- Very similar, often for substances like flour or cleaners; multipurpose is common for tools and rooms.
- versatile
- Describes something or someone that can adapt to many tasks; multipurpose focuses on having several built-in uses.
Opposites
Word family
- purpose noun
- The reason for which something is done or used.
Commonly confused: multipurpose or multipronged?
multipurpose vs multipronged
Multipronged means having several parts or methods, not several uses.
Practice
The new community hall is ______: it can host sports, concerts, and weddings.
Choose one answer.
Multipurpose means designed for several different uses. Multipronged means having several parts or methods; multisexual is unrelated; purposeful means having a clear aim, not multiple uses.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “multipurpose”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.