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serviceable

adjective
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ser·​vice·​able | \ ˈsər-və-sə-bəl How to pronounce serviceable (audio) \

Definition of serviceable

1 : helpful, useful
2 : fit for use a serviceable design also : of adequate quality her serviceable but not exceptional voice — Irving Kolodin
Other Words from serviceable Synonyms & Antonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about serviceable

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Other Words from serviceable

serviceability \ ˌsər-​və-​sə-​ˈbi-​lə-​tē How to pronounce serviceability (audio) \ noun
serviceableness \ ˈsər-​və-​sə-​bəl-​nəs How to pronounce serviceableness (audio) \ noun
serviceably \ ˈsər-​və-​sə-​blē How to pronounce serviceably (audio) \ 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.

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 One Billion Americans is stuffed full of perfectly serviceable and unobjectionable policy ideas that would, hypothetically, allow for a denser country that permitted more immigration and subsidized a higher birthrate. — Jacob Bacharach, The New Republic, "The Emptiness of Matthew Yglesias’s Biggest Idea," 10 Sep. 2020 Damion Square is a serviceable DT, and this will be make or break for 2019 first-rounder Jerry Tillery. — Nick Canepa Columnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, "Column: Don’t sleep on forgotten Chargers in 2020 NFL season," 6 Sep. 2020 This year’s collection of spotting scopes is a mostly serviceable class. — Andrew Mckean, Outdoor Life, "The 8 Best New Spotting Scopes Put to the Test," 18 Aug. 2020 When the Orioles outperformed their projections in the early-to-mid 2010s, it was based on timely hitting, serviceable starting pitching and lockdown relief pitching. — Jon Meoli, baltimoresun.com, "Brandon Hyde says it’s too early to think playoffs. Are the Orioles playing well enough to change that?," 14 Aug. 2020 Onigod has been more than serviceable in his playing time on Tracer, ranking best in the league above Striker in elimination per 10 minutes, with 25.4. — Sean Collins, Dallas News, "Preview, predication and player to watch: Dallas Fuel can’t overlook struggling Boston Uprising," 23 July 2020 Imitation crab meat, on the other hand, is not only more affordable, but a serviceable substitute in sushi rolls, salads, and dips. — Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, "The Real Story Behind Imitation Crab," 30 June 2020 The 28 has undergone a renaissance as of late, and is a more than serviceable shotgun on early season puddle ducks and mallards inside 40 yards. — Joe Genzel, Outdoor Life, "How to Hunt Ducks and Geese," 26 June 2020 This normally couldn’t net the Warriors much more than a serviceable rotation player, but the shutdown might push the ceiling for what the mid-level could yield. — Connor Letourneau, SFChronicle.com, "Warriors’ offseason primer: What must Golden State do to build a contender?," 6 June 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'serviceable.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of serviceable

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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Time Traveler for serviceable

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The first known use of serviceable was in the 14th century

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Last Updated

14 Sep 2020

Cite this Entry

“Serviceable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serviceable. Accessed 20 Sep. 2020.

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More Definitions for serviceable

serviceable

adjective
How to pronounce serviceable (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of serviceable

: ready to use or able to be used

See the full definition for serviceable in the English Language Learners Dictionary

serviceable

adjective
ser·​vice·​able | \ ˈsər-və-sə-bəl How to pronounce serviceable (audio) \

Kids Definition of serviceable

1 : useful sense 1 This old truck isn't fancy, but it's still serviceable.
2 : of adequate quality serviceable shoes

More from Merriam-Webster on serviceable

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for serviceable

Nglish: Translation of serviceable for Spanish Speakers

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