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

Clos de La Tec poured oodles of versions of their 2018 pinot noirs plus a serviceable Nebbiolo (quite varietally correct and tannic). —Laura Ness, The Mercury News, 11 June 2024

Chen pitched in a total of 102 games in four seasons and was barely serviceable as a starter, when healthy. —Craig Mish, Miami Herald, 4 June 2024

The noir plot, which swirls around the missing granddaughter of a Hollywood bigwig, is absolutely serviceable. —Scott Meslow, Vulture, 2 May 2024

But the diaspora’s growth is a story worth following, and al-Rasheed provides a serviceable introduction. Loading... —Lisa Anderson, Foreign Affairs, 8 Dec. 2020

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