one-size-fits-all

American  

[wuhn-sahyz-fits-awl] / ˈwʌnˈsaɪzˌfɪtsˈɔl /

adjective

1. (of clothing) designed to fit people of a wide range of sizes.

2. Informal. acceptable or used for a wide variety of purposes or circumstances; appealing or suitable to a variety of tastes.

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one-size-fits-all British  

adjective

1. relating to policies or approaches that are standard and not tailored to individual needs

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Etymology

Origin of one-size-fits-all

First recorded in 1905–10

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

one-size-fits-all

"It raises the possibility that genetics could one day help us identify who may benefit from a preventive treatment, rather than taking a one-size-fits-all approach."

From Science Daily ● Oct. 25, 2026

At the same time, a justified pushback has grown against the one-size-fits-all and sometimes paternalistic advice public health hands out, especially to pregnant women.

From Slate ● Aug. 27, 2026

Reform and Opening 2.0 would thus reintroduce the incentive and feedback mechanisms missing from today’s one-size-fits-all China policy.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 18, 2026

"They need to change the way that they're thinking they can teach students as a one-size-fits-all."

From BBC ● Aug. 3, 2026

The only downside was that a one-size-fits-all letter wasn’t going to cut it.

From "Liar, Liar" by Gary Paulsen

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