double-duty

American

[duhb-uhl-doo-tee, -dyoo-] / ˈdʌb əlˈdu ti, -ˈdyu- /

adjective

designed to fill two functions.

double-duty tools.

double duty Idioms

Fulfilling two functions at the same time, as in Our pickup truck does double duty, since it is used for the business and for family outings.

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

They can do double-duty as both home heaters and AC units and are pretty good at maintaining a constant temperature inside a home without the blast-then-cool-off cycle typical of a furnace.

From Los Angeles Times

McIlroy and Bridgeman finished their rounds on Thursday, while Penge and Aaron Rai had to pull double-duty on Friday.

From Barron's

So he delved into the engineering side of the industry, and he’s worked double-duty ever since — going on to co-found The Drake Racing engine service with his wife and fellow racer Ronda Drake in 2018.

From Los Angeles Times

He pulled double-duty as host and musical guest on “SNL,” fashioning modern covers of his favorite Dylan songs, “Tomorrow Is a Long Time” and a medley of “Outlaw Blues” and “Three Angels,” for millions of viewers to hear.

From Salon

“Support your back with team pillows for even more comfort. Bean bag chairs or floor pillows accommodate the younger spectators. An upholstered ottoman serves double-duty — put your feet up or serve snacks on a tray.”

From Seattle Times

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023