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
This time, there was serviceable play and solid playmaking from Terry Rozier, who finished with 15 points, six assists and five rebounds.
—Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
Frost was a healthy scratch at times in each of the last two seasons despite being one of the Flyers’ few serviceable centers, while Farabee also was scratched earlier this season as Tortorella attempted to get more out of the former first-round pick.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Now, though, the Vikings pair two serviceable backs together.
—Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Today’s laptop deal is a budget gaming laptop that offers serviceable performance for an affordable price.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serviceable
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Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2025
Frost was a healthy scratch at times in each of the last two seasons despite being one of the Flyers’ few serviceable centers, while Farabee also was scratched earlier this season as Tortorella attempted to get more out of the former first-round pick.
—Kevin Kurz, New York Times, 27 Mar. 2025
Now, though, the Vikings pair two serviceable backs together.
—Jeff Howe, The Athletic, 16 Mar. 2025
Today’s laptop deal is a budget gaming laptop that offers serviceable performance for an affordable price.
—Jade Chung-Lee, PCMAG, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for serviceable
Cite this Entry
“Serviceable.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/serviceable. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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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