general-purpose
|gen/er/al-pur/pose|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈdʒɛnərəl ˈpɜrpəs/
🇬🇧
/ˈdʒɛnərəl ˈpɜːpəs/
multi-use
Etymology
Etymology Information
'general-purpose' originates from the combination of 'general' and 'purpose', where 'general' meant 'common' and 'purpose' meant 'intended use'.
Historical Evolution
'general-purpose' evolved from the combination of the words 'general' and 'purpose' in English, maintaining its meaning over time.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'intended for common use', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
suitable for a variety of uses or functions.
The general-purpose cleaner can be used on various surfaces.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:42