Usable: meaning, definitions and examples

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usable

 

[ ˈjuːzəbəl ]

Adjective
Context #1 | Adjective

in general use

Able to be used or put into effect; practical.

Synonyms

applicable, functional, practical, serviceable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
usable

Nothing new, possible duplicate of the first word 'usable'.

practical

Something that is sensible and useful in a real-world situation, often emphasizing efficiency and feasibility.

  • Her advice was very practical and easy to follow
  • It's more practical to buy in bulk
functional

Something that operates or works properly, often with an emphasis on practicality over style.

  • The software is basic but fully functional
  • The functional parts of the machine were tested
applicable

Relevant or appropriate for a specific situation or context; typically used in formal contexts.

  • These rules are applicable to all employees
  • The discount is not applicable to sale items
serviceable

Capable of being used or serving a purpose, often implying that while something is not perfect, it is adequate; can carry a mildly negative undertone.

  • The jacket is old but still serviceable for winter
  • We found a serviceable solution to the problem

Examples of usage

  • These products are safe, reliable, and usable.
  • The software has a simple interface that makes it very usable.
  • The instructions were clear and the equipment was easily usable.
Context #2 | Adjective

computing

Capable of being used.

Synonyms

accessible, functional, user-friendly.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
usable

When referring to something that can be used effectively or conveniently.

  • The software is usable on both Windows and Mac.
  • After fixing the bugs, the app became usable.
functional

When referring to something that is working properly, usually in a basic or practical sense.

  • The old car is still functional despite its appearance.
  • The device is functional, but it lacks advanced features.
accessible

When describing something that is easy to reach, enter, or use, often in terms of physical or digital access.

  • The building is accessible to people with disabilities.
  • The information on the website is easily accessible to everyone.
user-friendly

When describing something that is easy to use or understand, especially for people with little experience.

  • The new software is very user-friendly, making it popular among beginners.
  • We aim to design a user-friendly interface for our website.

Examples of usage

  • The new app is very user-friendly and highly usable.
  • The website's layout is intuitive and extremely usable.
Context #3 | Adjective

easily handled or managed

Capable of being handled, managed, or dealt with.

Synonyms

dealable, manageable, practicable, workable.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
usable

When something is in a condition that it can be used as intended without any issues.

  • The old laptop is still usable despite its age
  • The tool is perfectly usable for fixing the bike
manageable

When a task, situation, or problem can be controlled or dealt with effectively without overwhelming difficulty.

  • The new project is large but manageable
  • Financial concerns can be manageable with a proper budget
dealable

When discussing a situation or problem that can be handled or managed. Generally used in a more abstract sense.

  • The workload this week is dealable
  • The issues at the office are dealable with some effort
workable

When a solution, plan, or system is effective and can be successfully implemented.

  • We need to come up with a workable solution for this problem
  • The proposed schedule is tight but workable
practicable

When an idea, plan, or method is feasible and can be put into practice realistically.

  • The route suggested by the GPS is practicable
  • Implementing this plan within the given time frame is practicable

Examples of usage

  • The situation was difficult but ultimately usable.
  • Despite the challenges, the data was still usable for analysis.

Translations

Translations of the word "usable" in other languages:

🇵🇹 utilizável

🇮🇳 उपयोगी

🇩🇪 verwendbar

🇮🇩 dapat digunakan

🇺🇦 придатний

🇵🇱 użyteczny

🇯🇵 使用可能な (shiyou kanou na)

🇫🇷 utilisable

🇪🇸 utilizable

🇹🇷 kullanılabilir

🇰🇷 사용할 수 있는 (sayonghal su inneun)

🇸🇦 قابل للاستخدام

🇨🇿 použitelný

🇸🇰 použiteľný

🇨🇳 可用的 (kě yòng de)

🇸🇮 uporaben

🇮🇸 nytjanlegur

🇰🇿 пайдалануға жарамды

🇬🇪 გამოყენებადი

🇦🇿 istifadə edilə bilən

🇲🇽 utilizable

Etymology

The word 'usable' originated from the Middle English word 'usen', meaning 'to use'. It first appeared in the 15th century. Over time, 'usable' evolved to its current form and usage, becoming a common adjective to describe something that can be effectively utilized or put into practical application.

See also: abuse, disuse, disused, misuse, misused, overuse, peruse, reusableness, reuse, reusing, underuse, unusable, unused, usability, usage, used, useful, usefully, usefulness, useless, uselessness, users, using, usual, utensil, utilize.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranked #10,128, this word falls into high-advanced vocabulary. It appears less frequently but is valuable for expressing precise meanings in specific contexts.