one-size-fits-all
adjective
1
: designed to conform to all shapes and sizes
one-size-fits-all T-shirts
One-size-fits-all gloves by Nolan Glove have gripper palms that are perfect for holding on …—
Andrea Skinner
Andrea SkinnerIf you are small of ear, you may find that those one-size-fits-all earbuds simply don't fit.—David Pogue
David Pogue2
: covering, used for, or applying to all cases or individuals without modification
This past spring, The New England Journal of Medicine published a series of articles by well-known geneticists who expressed frustration and disappointment at their inability to hit upon a one-size-fits-all genetic explanation for common diseases, which had seemed within their grasp only a few years ago.—Matthew Stremlau
Matthew StremlauLevine says the old, one-size-fits-all approach allows too many youngsters to fall through the cracks—kids who may be perfectly intelligent but struggle in school.—Barbara Kantrowitz et al.
Barbara Kantrowitz et al.Skeptics worry that patients are too varied and doctors too accustomed to providing unlimited care for a one-size-fits-all payment policy.—Catherine Arnst
Catherine ArnstWhere once there was the one-size-fits-all fixed-rate 30-year mortgage, now there is a bewildering assortment of home-financing arrangements …—Consumer Reports
Consumer ReportsExamples of one-size-fits-all in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
That’s not to say period tracking is a bad idea – only that athletes should beware of one-size-fits-all advice on how women perform during certain phases of the cycle.
—Susan Lacke, Outside Online, 2 Feb. 2025
While there's no one-size-fits-all list of foods to avoid for heartburn relief, several common culprits exist.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 2 Feb. 2025
Yet the practice has faced resistance, with some critics arguing that fluoridation imposes a one-size-fits-all public-health measure that disregards individual choice.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Beware of clinics that skip consultations or offer generic, one-size-fits-all plans.
—William Jones, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for one-size-fits-all 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Susan Lacke, Outside Online, 2 Feb. 2025
While there's no one-size-fits-all list of foods to avoid for heartburn relief, several common culprits exist.
—Chelsea Rae Bourgeois, Rdn, Ld, Health, 2 Feb. 2025
Yet the practice has faced resistance, with some critics arguing that fluoridation imposes a one-size-fits-all public-health measure that disregards individual choice.
—David Faris, Newsweek, 2 Feb. 2025
Beware of clinics that skip consultations or offer generic, one-size-fits-all plans.
—William Jones, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025
See all Example Sentences for one-size-fits-all
Dictionary Entries Near one-size-fits-all
Cite this Entry
“One-size-fits-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-size-fits-all. Accessed 20 Feb. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share