usable
usable — adjective
1. Available for someone to use, either because it is free, working, or accessible.
Available for someone to use, either because it is free, working, or accessible.
Gita checked whether the library computers were still usable before her class started.
be + still + usable — common pattern after repair or checking
The old fire escape was rusty but remained usable in an emergency.
Only three of the five camping stoves were found to be usable after the winter.
Theo asked if the spare room would be usable for his visiting aunt.
The free trial period made the software usable for two weeks without payment.
- available
Emphasises that something is free and ready, not that it works; 'available' is broader.
- functional
More specific — focuses on whether the thing works properly, not just whether it can be accessed.
- serviceable
More formal; implies adequate but not excellent condition, often for equipment.
文法句型
be usable
remain usable
become usable
用法筆記
Often appears with adverbs of time or condition such as 'still', 'barely', 'no longer', or 'perfectly'. The opposite 'unusable' is very common for saying something cannot be used at all.
常見錯誤
2. Designed or arranged so that people can work with it easily and without trouble.
Designed or arranged so that people can work with it easily and without trouble.
Hamza designed a simple interface that made the app usable for elderly patients.
make + object + usable for [group]
The new kitchen layout is more usable because the shelves stay within easy reach.
Adaeze found the website usable once she learned where the menu was hidden.
A smartphone with extra-large buttons stays usable for people with poor eyesight.
- user-friendly
More specific — describes software, devices, or services that are easy for beginners.
- convenient
Broader — also covers location, timing, and general helpfulness, not just ease of use.
- practical
Focuses on effectiveness for a real purpose rather than on ease of handling.
- awkward
Describes something that is difficult to handle or operate.
- inconvenient
Implies the design makes the task harder rather than easier.
文法句型
be usable
find something usable
make something usable
用法筆記
Subject is typically a designed object, space, or system — a tool, website, app, room, or layout. This sense focuses on convenience and ease, not on whether the item works at all.
3. In good enough condition to serve its normal purpose, even if the item is old, w
In good enough condition to serve its normal purpose, even if the item is old, worn, or not perfect.
Hoa's bicycle was battered but still usable for her short commute to school.
still usable — old but adequate
The chef decided the cracked chopping board was no longer usable.
Piotr kept his grandfather's toolbox because the old hammer was still usable.
The tent had a small tear but remained usable for dry-weather camping.
The secondhand sofa was faded on one side but perfectly usable in the living room.
- serviceable
More formal; often used for equipment that works adequately but not perfectly.
- functional
Focuses on whether the item works, not on cosmetic condition.
- working
Informal; simply means the item operates as intended.
文法句型
be usable
remain usable
stay usable
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (AVAILABLE FOR USE): sense 3 implies the item is already present and in your possession but shows some wear or damage. Sense 1 asks whether the item is accessible or working at all. This sense is common in discussions about secondhand goods, repairs, and resource management.