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

The first two serviceable T20 games were shared between Mitch Marsh and Phil Salt's teams, meaning that the decider was at Manchester, a venue that holds the UK record for the most days washed out in international red-ball cricket. —Tim Ellis, Forbes, 25 Sep. 2024

But if the latter is going to come true, the AI can’t be okay or serviceable. —Victoria Song, The Verge, 21 Sep. 2024

The consistent creative spark needed to boost a serviceable series into something more just isn’t there. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 18 Sep. 2024

The root of this tension becomes clearer later on in this serviceable adaptation of the popular Colleen Hoover novel, directed by and co-starring Justin Baldoni (Jane the Virgin). —Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 7 Aug. 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