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
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
- actionable
- applicable
- applicative
- applied
- functional
- practicable
- practical
- ultrapractical
- usable
- useable
- useful
- workable
- working
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 There must be a real, beyond-serviceable quarterback. Nick Canepacolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 And the Diamondbacks’ pitching in recent days has been at best dominant and at worst serviceable; right-hander Zac Gallen was somewhere in between on Wednesday, giving up two runs (one earned) in five innings. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 27 July 2022 The company also made progress on expanding its reach, seeing an increase in customer relationships and in the penetration of homes serviceable. Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 June 2022 Damion Lee and Josh Okogie are solid wings the Suns added while Jock Landale is a serviceable big who can contribute when needed. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 22 July 2022 Halftime is a serviceable portrait— a gift to fans, really — sustained by rare moments of unaffected reflection. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 June 2022 That’s a tall order, but Trevorrow and his co-writer, Emily Carmichael, do an initially serviceable job of keeping the story’s many unwieldy parts in diverting motion. Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Perhaps not on par with Canteen Creemee, but more than serviceable. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2022 In 2018, her blog detailed the work that went into transforming a serviceable 1980s daylight ranch in Dunthorpe into a three-story showstopper. oregonlive, 20 May 2022 See More
Nick Canepacolumnist, San Diego Union-Tribune, 10 Sep. 2022 And the Diamondbacks’ pitching in recent days has been at best dominant and at worst serviceable; right-hander Zac Gallen was somewhere in between on Wednesday, giving up two runs (one earned) in five innings. Nick Piecoro, The Arizona Republic, 27 July 2022 The company also made progress on expanding its reach, seeing an increase in customer relationships and in the penetration of homes serviceable. Gurufocus, Forbes, 29 June 2022 Damion Lee and Josh Okogie are solid wings the Suns added while Jock Landale is a serviceable big who can contribute when needed. Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 22 July 2022 Halftime is a serviceable portrait— a gift to fans, really — sustained by rare moments of unaffected reflection. Lovia Gyarkye, The Hollywood Reporter, 8 June 2022 That’s a tall order, but Trevorrow and his co-writer, Emily Carmichael, do an initially serviceable job of keeping the story’s many unwieldy parts in diverting motion. Los Angeles Times, 8 June 2022 Perhaps not on par with Canteen Creemee, but more than serviceable. Globe Staff, BostonGlobe.com, 2 June 2022 In 2018, her blog detailed the work that went into transforming a serviceable 1980s daylight ranch in Dunthorpe into a three-story showstopper. oregonlive, 20 May 2022 See More 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
: useful sense 1 This old truck isn't fancy, but it's still serviceable.
2
: of adequate quality
serviceable shoes
serviceable
adjective
1
as in useful
capable of being put to use or account be sure to wear serviceable shoes if you're going to be walking on the rocks along the shore Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- useful
- applicable
- applicative
- practical
- applied
- usable
- workable
- useable
- practicable
- functional
- pragmatic
- actionable
- pragmatical
- working
- utilitarian
- available
- ultrapractical
- accessible
- obtainable
- functioning
- handy
- operating
- mundane
- reachable
- employed
- operative
- all-round
- down-to-earth
- active
- banausic
- all-around
- busy
- alive
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- useless
- unusable
- impractical
- impracticable
- inapplicable
- unworkable
- theoretical
- academic
- unavailable
- inaccessible
- abstract
- theoretic
- unsuitable
- unobtainable
- nonpractical
- unattainable
- unreachable
- academical
- armchair
2
as in available
capable of or suitable for being used for a particular purpose a perfectly serviceable, if old, set of screwdrivers worked fine for repairing the door Synonyms & Similar Words
- useful
- available
- usable
- useable
- functional
- operable
- practicable
- exploitable
- viable
- workable
- employable
- feasible
- fit
- relevant
- doable
- applicable
- reusable
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unusable
- unavailable
- impracticable
- inoperable
- unemployable
- nonfunctional
3
as in adequate
of a level of quality that meets one's needs or standards the acting was serviceable, although not particularly inspired Synonyms & Similar Words
- adequate
- decent
- satisfactory
- fine
- good
- acceptable
- passable
- tolerable
- respectable
- useful
- okay
- suitable
- all right
- fairish
- OK
- worthy
- agreeable
- endurable
- minimal
- mediocre
- bearable
- middling
- appropriate
- up to snuff
- fitting
- satisfying
- ordinary
- average
- sufferable
- unexceptional
- standard
- indifferent
- proper
- common
- fair
- so-so
- correct
- right
- seemly
- second-rate
- run-of-the-mill
- due
- meet
- gratifying
- run-of-the-mine
- run-of-mine
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- inadequate
- insufficient
- lacking
- unsatisfactory
- useless
- deficient
- unsuitable
- unacceptable
- objectionable
- cheap
- defective
- unfit
- improper
- unworthy
- imperfect
- disagreeable
- wrong
- bad
- shoddy
- incomplete
- wanting
- insufficient
- pitiful
- short
- indecent
- poor
- faulty
- shabby
- spare
- meager
- lamentable
- scanty
- skimpy
- meagre
- intolerable
- stingy
- great
- disreputable
- miserly
- special
- unbearable
- superior
- optimal
- atrocious
- exceptional
- dissatisfying
- unendurable
- insufferable
- wretched
- mean
- execrable
- splendid
- optimum
- miserable
- superb
- peerless
- exquisite
- prime
- terrific
- neat
- maximum
- fancy
- vile
- matchless
- supreme
- noble
- extreme
- wonderful
- superlative
- unparalleled
- classic
- stellar
- marvelous
- unmatched
- dandy
- divine
- premium
- top
- marvellous
- nifty
- heavenly
- grand
- fabulous
- sterling
- unsurpassed
- sensational
- preeminent
- par excellence
- keen
- niggardly
- swell
- mean
- first-rate
- first-class
- capital
- banner
- top-notch
- high-grade
- maximized
- crackerjack
- tip-top
- groovy
- boss
- supernal
- bang-up
- jim-dandy
- A1
