unserviceable

Everyday

(formal) Unserviceable means broken or worn out and no longer fit to use, like an unserviceable tyre or plane. tree →

In the lessons

Used in formal reports, the army, airlines, schools and councils: «the playground equipment is unserviceable». In everyday talk people say «broken», «useless» or «out of order».

Examples

• The old bus was unserviceable and sent for scrap. tree →
• Two fire extinguishers were found unserviceable. tree →
• The plane was unserviceable, so the flight was cancelled. tree →
• The pump is unserviceable after the flood. tree →
• Unserviceable equipment must be labelled and taken away. tree →
• The rusty bike looked unserviceable. tree →

Note

Formal. Opposite: «serviceable» (usable). Spelling: keep the «e» before «-able»: «serviceable».