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.
As work and personal life become more interwoven, organizations must move beyond one-size-fits-all well-being initiatives and start addressing the nuanced needs of their people. Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 27 Mar. 2025 Styling Oil $45 NORDSTROM $45 AMAZON Living Proof No Frizz Vanishing Oil $33 NORDSTROM $33 AMAZON How to Prevent Further Mechanical Damage Mastering the art of hair brushing is key to minimize further stress on hair, and picking the best hair brush for the job is never a one-size-fits-all choice. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 25 Mar. 2025 Every user’s eyes are different, and a one-size-fits-all approach to display settings doesn’t fully address individual needs. George Toh, Forbes, 25 Mar. 2025 With over 2,500 drivers across all 50 states ready to help, there’s a breadth of choices that simply isn’t available with a one-size-fits-all airline cargo service. William Mullane, USA TODAY, 25 Mar. 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 1 Apr. 2025.

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