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serve
[surv]
verb (used without object)
to act as a servant.
Synonyms: attendto wait on table, as a waiter.
Synonyms: attendto offer or have a meal or refreshments available, as for patrons or guests.
Come early, we're serving at six.
to offer or distribute a portion or portions of food or a beverage, as a host or hostess.
It was her turn to serve at the faculty tea.
to render assistance; be of use; help.
to go through a term of service, do duty as a soldier, sailor, senator, juror, etc.
to have definite use.
This cup will serve as a sugar bowl.
to answer the purpose.
That will serve to explain my actions.
(in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to put the ball or shuttlecock in play with a stroke, swing, or hit.
to be favorable, suitable, or convenient, as weather or time.
Ecclesiastical., to act as a server.
verb (used with object)
to be in the service of; work for.
to be useful or of service to; help.
to go through (a term of service, imprisonment, etc.).
to render active service to (a sovereign, commander, etc.).
to render obedience or homage to (God, a sovereign, etc.).
to perform the duties of (a position, an office, etc.).
to serve his mayoralty.
to answer the requirements of; suffice.
This will serve our needs for the moment.
to contribute to; promote.
to serve a cause.
to wait upon at table; act as a waiter or waitress to.
to carry and distribute (portions of food or drink) to a patron or a specific table, as a waiter or waitress.
to act as a host or hostess in offering (a person) a portion of food or drink.
May I serve you with some tea and cake?
to act as a host or hostess in offering or distributing (a portion or portions of food or drink) to another.
They served tea and cake to their guests.
to provide with a regular or continuous supply of something.
(in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to put (the ball or shuttlecock) in play.
to treat in a specified manner.
That served him ill.
Law.
to make legal delivery of (a process or writ).
to present (a person) with a writ.
to gratify (desire, wants, needs, etc.).
(of a male animal) to mate with; service.
to operate or keep in action (a gun, artillery, etc.).
Nautical., to wrap (a rope) tightly with small stuff, keeping the turns as close together as possible.
noun
the act, manner, or right of serving, as in tennis.
serve
/ sɜːv /
verb
to be in the service of (a person)
to render or be of service to (a person, cause, etc); help
(in a shop) to give (customers) information about articles for sale and to hand over articles purchased
(tr) to provide (guests, customers, etc) with food, drink, etc
she served her guests with cocktails
to distribute or provide (food, drink, etc) for guests, customers, etc
do you serve coffee?
to present (food, drink, etc) in a specified manner
cauliflower served with cheese sauce
(tr) to provide with a regular supply of
(tr) to work actively for
to serve the government
(tr) to pay homage to
to serve God
to answer the requirements of; suit
this will serve my purpose
(intr; may take an infinitive) to have a use; function
this wood will serve to build a fire
to go through (a period of service, enlistment, imprisonment, etc)
(intr) (of weather, conditions, etc) to be favourable or suitable
Also: service. (tr) (of a male animal) to copulate with (a female animal)
sport to put (the ball) into play
(intr) RC Church to act as server at Mass or other services
(tr) to deliver (a legal document, esp a writ or summons) to (a person)
to provide (a machine, etc) with an impulse or signal for control purposes or with a continuous supply of fuel, working material, etc
(tr) nautical to bind (a rope, spar, etc) with wire or fine cord to protect it from chafing, etc See also seize
informal, to pay a person back, esp for wrongful or foolish treatment or behaviour
noun
sport short for service 1
a portion or helping of food or drink
Other Word Forms
- servable adjective
- serveable adjective
- overserve verb (used with object)
- underserved adjective
- unservable adjective
- unserved adjective
- well-served adjective
Word History and Origins
Word History and Origins
Origin of serve1
Idioms and Phrases
serve one right, to treat one as one deserves, especially to punish justly.
It will serve you right if she never speaks to you again.
More idioms and phrases containing serve
- break someone's serve
- first come, first served
- hand to on a silver platter (serve up on a plate)
Example Sentences
"A cover-up by the very institutions that are supposed to protect and to serve. It is nothing less than a stain of modern history of this country."
Jones would later serve around six months in prison in 2008 after admitting lying to investigators in the steroid case as well as involvement in a check fraud case.
She began serving a term last year that runs into 2038.
The channel’s parent company, Paramount, announced Monday that Stewart will continue to host “The Daily Show” on Monday nights and serve as an executive producer through the end of next year.
With the acquisition, expected to close in the second half of 2026, Kimberly-Clark can serve consumers at every stage of life with “iconic brands,” as consumers are increasingly prioritizing health and wellness.
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Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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