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 infatuation between Ponyboy and Cherry (Emma Pittman), which produces a couple of serviceable duets, feels perfunctory and fades into a melange of other conflicts. —Naveen Kumar, Variety, 12 Apr. 2024

With a serviceable receiver in Smythe (35 catches in 43 catches for career-high 366 yards last season) and a very good one in Smith, there will be more motivation to use 12 personnel and less predictability when Miami uses it because neither player is deficient as a blocker or receiver. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 8 Mar. 2024

Ray-Ray McCloud was a serviceable return specialist, but perhaps his final image in a 49ers uniform was the failure to pounce on a punt that ricocheted off unsuspecting rookie Darrell Luter Jr.’s foot. —Cam Inman, The Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2024

The Steelers haven’t had a serviceable center since Maurkice Pouncey retired after the 2020 season. —Eddie Brown, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024

The serviceable new numbers are by Neil Hannon, frontman of The Divine Comedy, though there’s little of the sophisticated lyrical wit of the Northern Irish orchestral pop band’s best work. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 4 Dec. 2023

Most of the components are serviceable with replacement parts on each device. —Matthew Buzzi, PCMAG, 21 Mar. 2024

The new base config comes with a serviceable 8GB of RAM and 256GB SSD, with a 16GB RAM upgrade available for another $200. —Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 21 Sep. 2023

The spa and gym in the basement are serviceable, but the hotel earns a bonus point for an unexpected amenity: its beach club. —Mark Ellwood, Robb Report, 5 Mar. 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