His Arabic was not as good as his English, but serviceable enough...
A customer took a perfectly serviceable washing machine in for repair, only to be told it needed replacing.
English dictionary. 2008.
Serviceable — Serv ice*a*ble, a. 1. Doing service; promoting happiness, interest, advantage, or any good; useful to any end; adapted to any good end use; beneficial; advantageous. Serviceable to religion and learning . Atterbury. Serviceable tools. Macaulay.… … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
serviceable — “ready to do service,” early 14c., from O.Fr. serviçable, from servise (see SERVICE (Cf. service) (n.)). Edgar: I know thee well: a serviceable villain, As duteous to the vices of thy mistress As badness would desire. [ King Lear, Act IV,… … Etymology dictionary
serviceable — [sʉr′vis ə bəl] adj. [ME servisable < OFr] 1. that can be of service; ready for use; useful; usable 2. that will give good service, esp. in hard use; durable [a serviceable fabric] 3. Archaic willing to serve serviceability n. serviceableness… … English World dictionary
serviceable — index constructive (creative), convenient, disposable, effective (efficient), functional, instrumental … Law dictionary
serviceable — is spelt with an e in the middle, to preserve the soft sound of the c … Modern English usage
serviceable — [adj] useful, functional advantageous, aiding, assistive, beneficial, convenient, dependable, durable, efficient, handy, hardwearing, helpful, invaluable, operative, practical, profitable, usable, utile, utilitarian, valuable; concept 560 Ant.… … New thesaurus
serviceable — ► ADJECTIVE 1) fulfilling its function adequately; usable or in working order. 2) functional and durable rather than attractive. DERIVATIVES serviceability noun … English terms dictionary
serviceable — adjective Date: 14th century 1. helpful, useful 2. fit for use < a serviceable design >; also of adequate quality < her serviceable but not exceptional voice Irving Kolodin > • serviceability noun • serviceableness … New Collegiate Dictionary
serviceable — adjective 1) a serviceable heating system Syn: in working order, working, functioning, functional, operational, operative; usable, workable, viable Ant: unusable 2) serviceable lace up shoes … Thesaurus of popular words
serviceable — serviceability, serviceableness, n. serviceably, adv. /serr veuh seuh beuhl/, adj. 1. capable of or being of service; useful. 2. wearing well; durable: serviceable cloth. 3. capable of being used, worn, cleaned, repaired, etc., easily. [1300 50;… … Universalium
