serviceable
adjective
ser·vice·able
ˈsər-və-sə-bəl 
2
: fit for use
a serviceable design
also
: of adequate quality
… her serviceable but not exceptional voice … —
Irving Kolodin
Irving Kolodin 
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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.
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
Parham had a down season with the Las Vegas Raiders but has played well in the past, while Myers can do a serviceable job.
—Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The Chargers’ Ladd McConkey put up a Pro-Bowl caliber campaign in ’24 as a first-year target (82 catches, 1,149 receiving yards, seven scores), while Rashod Bateman’s numbers as a rookie in ’22 were merely serviceable (46 grabs, 515 yards, one TD).
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Diners are about being serviceable, in the literal terms of availability and of adequacy.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Alex Smith was serviceable with the 49ers, but the team can forever wonder what might have been for passing on Aaron Rodgers to take Smith first overall in 2005.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serviceable
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Zack Rosenblatt, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2026
The Chargers’ Ladd McConkey put up a Pro-Bowl caliber campaign in ’24 as a first-year target (82 catches, 1,149 receiving yards, seven scores), while Rashod Bateman’s numbers as a rookie in ’22 were merely serviceable (46 grabs, 515 yards, one TD).
—Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 25 Apr. 2026
Diners are about being serviceable, in the literal terms of availability and of adequacy.
—Bill Addison, Los Angeles Times, 23 Apr. 2026
Alex Smith was serviceable with the 49ers, but the team can forever wonder what might have been for passing on Aaron Rodgers to take Smith first overall in 2005.
—Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 23 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for serviceable
Cite this Entry
“Serviceable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serviceable. Accessed 28 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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