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 
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
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
Ani is Uzbek American, and though her Russian is serviceable at best, her body language is more than fluent enough for them both.
—Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
The differences lie in how well those elements perform and the Mix Buds 2 do a serviceable job.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024
But know that this piece is far more than a serviceable analogy comparing words, sentences, and ideas to bricks, mortar, and beams.
—Longreads, 18 Oct. 2024
Tony Allen’s defensive caliber blossom into a serviceable shooter, to the point where they can be trusted late in games?
—Shane Young, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for serviceable 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Justin Chang, The New Yorker, 11 Oct. 2024
The differences lie in how well those elements perform and the Mix Buds 2 do a serviceable job.
—Gieson Cacho, The Mercury News, 28 Oct. 2024
But know that this piece is far more than a serviceable analogy comparing words, sentences, and ideas to bricks, mortar, and beams.
—Longreads, 18 Oct. 2024
Tony Allen’s defensive caliber blossom into a serviceable shooter, to the point where they can be trusted late in games?
—Shane Young, Forbes, 17 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for serviceable
Dictionary Entries Near serviceable
Cite this Entry
“Serviceable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serviceable. Accessed 26 Nov. 2024.
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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share