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

Did you know?

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 of serviceable

• useful
• applicable
• applied
• applicative
• practical

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

Its job is to go beyond producing a serviceable picture by interpreting and reproducing content. — New Atlas, 16 Sep. 2026

That means more scrutiny on gross margins, infrastructure efficiency, how costs scale relative to revenue, and your serviceable debt capacity. — Denada Ramnishta, Forbes.com, 14 Sep. 2026

Erivo and Daniel Ings, who plays her colleague Julian Brooks, both turn in serviceable performances, as does an ensemble cast that includes Noma Dumezweni as Tessa’s mother, June, and Toheeb Jimoh as her younger brother, Johnny. — Beandrea July, IndieWire, 14 Sep. 2026

Hicks and Lewis are more than serviceable, but as full-season starters? — Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 30 Aug. 2026

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