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

Such missions could lead to a change in how satellites are designed, such as being readily serviceable. —Andrew Jones, Space.com, 11 Apr. 2025

This 2-in-1 laptop will do a serviceable job of web browsing and document drafting. —Jade Chung-Lee, PC Magazine, 7 Apr. 2025

Diggs was then serviceable in his eight games in Houston, averaging 62 yards on eight targets. —Jacob Robinson, New York Times, 26 Mar. 2025

Many components are serviceable without the need for tools. —PCMAG, 17 Feb. 2025

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

Rhymes for serviceable

• unserviceable

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