serviceable

adjective

ser·​vice·​able ˈsər-və-sə-bəl 

1

: helpful, useful

2

: fit for use

a serviceable design

also : of adequate quality

her serviceable but not exceptional voice

—Irving Kolodin

serviceability

ˌsər-və-sə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

serviceableness

ˈsər-və-sə-bəl-nəs 

noun

serviceably

ˈsər-və-sə-blē 

adverb

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Someone who speaks serviceable Spanish isn't fluent in it but gets by pretty well. A serviceable jacket is practical and maybe even rugged. But serviceable sometimes damns with faint praise. A serviceable performance is all right but not inspired. Serviceable curtains aren't the ideal color or pattern, but they serve their purpose. A serviceable pair of shoes is sturdy but won't win you any fashion points.

Synonyms

• actionable
• applicable
• applicative
• applied
• functional
• practicable
• practical
• ultrapractical
• usable
• useable
• useful
• workable
• working

Examples of serviceable in a Sentence

I bought an old but still serviceable bicycle.

be sure to wear serviceable shoes if you're going to be walking on the rocks along the shore

Recent Examples on the Web

It’s not been an offensive masterclass by the Black and Gold but between serviceable quarterback play from at first Justin Fields and now Russell Wilson has provided just enough at the key moment. —Ben Morse, CNN, 1 Dec. 2024

The planned upgrade from a still serviceable TV set to larger and flashier one may be dropped, but some money saved may go to a ski weekend. —Edward Lotterman, Twin Cities, 17 Nov. 2024

But Malik Harrison, Smith’s primary replacement, was serviceable even if not revelatory. —Baltimore Sun Staff, Baltimore Sun, 26 Nov. 2024

Someone to Watch Over Me is a product of its time, a serviceable romantic thriller that wound up looking chaste and old-fashioned next to the films that would soon flood the market in the same genre. —Scott Tobias, Vulture, 20 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English serviseable "willing to serve or be of assistance, suitable, useful," borrowed from Anglo-French servissable, from servise service entry 1 + -able -able

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

serviceable

adjective

ser·​vice·​able ˈsər-və-sə-bəl 

1

: prepared for or capable of service : useful

2

: lasting or wearing well in use

serviceability

ˌsər-və-sə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

serviceableness

ˈsər-və-sə-bəl-nəs 

noun