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
If you are small of ear, you may find that those one-size-fits-all earbuds simply don't fit.David Pogue
2
: 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
Levine 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.
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
Where 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

Examples of one-size-fits-all in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Whether used in birth control, menopause treatment or even future applications like cancer therapy, E4 reflects a broader shift in medicine that prioritizes individual biology over one-size-fits-all solutions. Lauryn Higgins, Flow Space, 25 July 2025 Many brands fall into the trap of reacting too late to market trends, or worse, adopting a one-size-fits-all approach that feels disconnected from their audience. Chris Fosdick, Forbes.com, 25 July 2025 There is no one-size-fits-all term that's going to completely encompass the experience of parenthood. Elisabeth Sherman, Parents, 24 July 2025 Education is not a one-size-fits-all issue — every child is different, and parents are in the best position to know what kind of environment will help their child thrive. Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 24 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for one-size-fits-all

Word History

First Known Use

1905, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of one-size-fits-all was in 1905

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Cite this Entry

“One-size-fits-all.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/one-size-fits-all. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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