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Glite Dictionary
dual-purpose

dual-purpose

1 4.4
Made to do two different things at the same time
  • adjective
  • /ˈduːəl ˈpɜːrpəs/
translation icon : de doble propósito
  • The communal and noncommunal institutions serve a dual purpose for the Ismaili community in Tanzania.
  • serve a dual-purpose
  • dual-purpose potato
  • dual-purpose grain

Then we have this dual purpose storage space that also turns into an armor.

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Examples

  • This gadget is dual-purpose, serving as both a phone charger and a portable speaker.

  • Many apartments now include dual-purpose furniture that transforms from a bed to a sofa.

  • Then we have this dual purpose storage space that also turns into an armor.

    Brett Conti

  • So basically it's it's serving a dual purpose for myself and my wonderful viewers and subscribers.

  • They have a dual purpose.

    The Heat (2013)

  • Vaccination of health care workers serves a dual purpose: self-protection and reduction of transmission in health care settings.

    Academic text (2013)

  • Scientists say it has the potential to be the first dual-purpose biofuel plant; that is, the stems would be harvested for fuel and the leaves for feed and other products.

    Academic text (2002)

  • Silverton Russet, a dual-purpose potato, originated from Aberdeen and was selected and developed further in Colorado.

    Academic text (2003)

  • PHOTO (COLOR): Agronomist Chester Dewald believes eastern gamagrass can be a dual-purpose crop—grain or forage.

    Academic text (1994)

  • The new design features a dual-purpose table that can be used for both dining and working.

Synonyms

multipurpose
vsdual-purpose
6 3.4

Can be used in many different ways, like cleaning or fixing

is limited to two specific purposes rather than many
dual-use
vsdual-purpose
4 7.1

A thing made to be used for two different purposes, like civilian and military

is the general concept of serving two purposes not tied to one domain
double-barreled
vsdual-purpose
  • US
1 6.0

Having two purposes or effects

is focused on practical use for two purposes at once
bifunctional
vsdual-purpose
6.7

Something that has two different functions

is about serving two different purposes at the same time
multifunctional
vsdual-purpose
3.7

A device that does several different jobs, like printing and scanning

is limited to exactly two functions instead of many

How Versatile

versatile
55 6.3
dual-purpose
1 4.4

Surface Forms

dual-purpose positive

Morphology

dual-purpose = dual + purpose (transparent) = dual + purpose

The meaning follows directly from 'dual' (two) + 'purpose' (function), so learners can infer 'serving two purposes'.

Etymology

Dual-purpose comes from two simple parts: dual meaning 'two' and purpose meaning 'use' or 'reason'. So something dual-purpose is made to do two different jobs at the same time.