Make Your Point > Archived Issues > SERVICEABLE
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connect today's word to others:
Now and again we'll give our attention to a simple, precise adjective like serviceable because it's sometimes hard to think of it when we need it.
You could say the same for _____ual, an adjective for things we do all the time, without thinking, just because we're used to them. For example: "She's a _____ual nail-biter."
(To reveal any word with blanks, give it a click.)
make your point with...
"SERVICEABLE"
Serviceable things and people are good enough to serve their purpose. In other words, to be serviceable is to be just good enough to work, but not great or amazing.
Pronunciation:
SUR viss uh bull
Part of speech:
Adjective.
(Adjectives are describing words, like "large" or "late."
They can be used in two ways:
1. Right before a noun, as in "a serviceable thing" or "a serviceable person."
2. After a linking verb, as in "It was serviceable" or "He was serviceable.")
Other forms:
Serviceably & serviceability.
(There's also the terribly ugly "serviceableness." I'll stick with "serviceability.")
How to use it:
We often call things serviceable when we need to point out how they're just fine and yet they aren't exactly blowing our minds. "He's a serviceable goalie, but not the star player." Here's the New York Times: "Some of those [TV episodes] are fun; some are merely serviceable." And the Los Angeles Times: "As for the voices: a handful are stellar, the rest serviceable."
And, we'll often call things serviceable to emphasize that they might not be beautiful or exciting, but they get the job done: a serviceable car, a serviceable shelf, a serviceable restaurant.
You might describe something as serviceable for or as something: "the restaurant is serviceable for a quick lunch," "the board is serviceable as a shelf for cups."
examples:
On the first day of seventh grade, in a socially disastrous mistake, I wore serviceable tennis shoes instead of trendy sandals.
He'll keep on wearing that belt until it literally falls apart--he sees no need to buy a new one when the frayed one is still serviceable.
study it now:
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "serviceable" means when you can explain it without saying "practical" or "mediocre."
try it out:
Fill in the blanks: "(Something) (lacks, isn't, can't, or doesn't) _____, but it's serviceable."
Example: "Her new single lacks a stunningly original melody and doesn't exactly electrify the soul, but it's serviceable."
before you review:
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
This month, we're playing with some beautifully worded passages from the Bible as we recall words we've studied before.
From our previous issue:
"A gift given in secret soothes anger, and a bribe concealed in the cloak p______s great wrath." (New International Version, Proverbs, chapter 21, verse 14.)
What's the missing word? It means "settles something down and makes it peaceful."
Answer: pacifies.
Try this today:
"When you sit to dine with a ruler, note well what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are given to g______y. Do not crave his delicacies, for that food is deceptive." (New International Version, Proverbs, chapter 23, saying 7.)
What's the missing word? It means "the act of filling yourself up with too much of whatever it is that you want."
review today's word:
1. One opposite of SERVICEABLE is
A. NAMELESS.
B. FEARLESS.
C. USELESS.
2. In high school, the twins didn't mind their _____; it was perfectly serviceable.
A. dorky minivan
B. friends mixing them up
C. demanding homework load
Answers are below.
a final word:
Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words.
From Liesl's blog:
36 ways to study words.
Why we forget words, & how to remember them.
How to use sophisticated words without being awkward.
To be a sponsor and include your ad in an issue, please contact me at Liesl@HiloTutor.com.
Disclaimer: When I write definitions, I use plain language and stick to the words' common, useful applications. If you're interested in authoritative and multiple definitions of words, I encourage you to check a dictionary. Also, because I'm American, I stick to American English when I share words' meanings, usage, and pronunciations; these elements sometimes vary across world Englishes.
Answers to review questions:
1. C
2. A
Now and again we'll give our attention to a simple, precise adjective like serviceable because it's sometimes hard to think of it when we need it.
"SERVICEABLE" Serviceable things and people are good enough to serve their purpose. In other words, to be serviceable is to be just good enough to work, but not great or amazing. Part of speech: Other forms:
On the first day of seventh grade, in a socially disastrous mistake, I wore serviceable tennis shoes instead of trendy sandals.
Look away from the screen to explain the definition in your own words. You’ll know you understand what "serviceable" means when you can explain it without saying "practical" or "mediocre."
Fill in the blanks: "(Something) (lacks, isn't, can't, or doesn't) _____, but it's serviceable."
Spend at least 20 seconds occupying your mind with the game below. Then try the review questions. Don’t go straight to the review now—let your working memory empty out first.
1. One opposite of SERVICEABLE is
Make Your Point is crafted with love and brought to you each weekday morning by Liesl Johnson, a reading and writing tutor on a mission to explore, illuminate, and celebrate words. |