serviceable

[sur-vuh-suh-buhl]

See more synonyms for serviceable on Thesaurus.com

adjective

capable of or being of service; useful.
wearing well; durable: serviceable cloth.
capable of being used, worn, cleaned, repaired, etc., easily.

Origin of serviceable

1300–50; service¹ + -able; replacing Middle English servisable < Middle French

Related formsserv·ice·a·bil·i·ty, serv·ice·a·ble·ness, nounserv·ice·a·bly, adverbnon·serv·ice·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·serv·ice·a·ble, adjectivenon·serv·ice·a·ble·ness, nounnon·serv·ice·a·bly, adverbun·ser·vice·a·ble, adjectiveun·ser·vice·a·ble·ness, nounun·ser·vice·a·bly, adverb

Synonyms for serviceable

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1. effective, usable, functional.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for serviceability

tenderness, sympathy, goodness, gentleness, forbearance, solicitude, tolerance, humanity, understanding, courtesy, decency, altruism, grace, patience, benevolence, hospitality, cordiality, affection, graciousness, duty

Examples from the Web for serviceability

Historical Examples of serviceability

On the other hand, its serviceability is much diminished by the special opportunities it gives a few individuals.
The Promise Of American Life
Herbert David Croly
It must be admitted that the leather-covered books have the appearance of strength and serviceability, but not of beauty.
Library Bookbinding
Arthur Low Bailey
Experience in the use of these volumes only emphasizes their serviceability, attractiveness and cheapness.
Papers and Proceedings of the Thirty-fourth Annual Meeting of the American Library Association Held at Ottawa, Canada June 26-July 2, 1912
Various
The ground of survival in the selective process is fitness for pecuniary gain, not fitness for serviceability at large.
The Place of Science in Modern Civilisation and Other Essays
Thorstein Veblen
By and large, the measure of their serviceability for his ends is the measure of their technological competency.
The Place of Science in Modern Civilisation and Other Essays
Thorstein Veblen

British Dictionary definitions for serviceability

serviceable

adjective

capable of or ready for service; usable
capable of giving good service; durable
archaic diligent in service

Derived Formsserviceability or serviceableness, nounserviceably, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for serviceability

serviceable

adj.

"ready to do service," early 14c., from Old French servicable, from servise (see service (n.1)). Related: Serviceability.

Edgar: I know thee well: a serviceable villain,
As duteous to the vices of thy mistress
As badness would desire.
["King Lear," Act IV, Scene vi]