serviceable

[sur-vuh-suh-buhl]

adjective

1. capable of or being of service; useful.

   Synonyms: functional, usable, effective

2. wearing well; durable.

   serviceable cloth.

3. capable of being used, worn, cleaned, repaired, etc., easily.

serviceable

/ ˈsɜːvɪsəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of or ready for service; usable

2. capable of giving good service; durable

3. archaic,  diligent in service

Other Word Forms

• serviceability noun
• serviceableness noun
• serviceably adverb
• nonserviceability noun
• nonserviceable adjective
• nonserviceableness noun
• nonserviceably adverb
• unserviceable adjective
• unserviceableness noun
• unserviceably adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of serviceable¹

1300–50; service ¹ + -able; replacing Middle English servisable < Middle French

Example Sentences

Johansson’s direction is serviceable if unremarkable, and one has to wonder why this particular script spoke to her.

From Los Angeles Times

The goal of Nisha Ganatra’s serviceable sequel is to get audiences who love those characters to buy a ticket and hang out with them again.

From Los Angeles Times

I’m noncommittal myself on whether Lerman delivers a serviceable performance or a strong one.

From Los Angeles Times

Gould does a serviceable job of telling the Heads’ story in a book that arrives 50 years after the band’s first gig at CBGB.

From Los Angeles Times

It’s serviceable, invisible, and he adds a few stylistic quirks, like the broken-bone tally in a childish font or a few animated sequences in order to represent how Austin “sees” the world.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dependable 
• usable