serve

noun countable

UK /sɜː(r)v/

Word Forms

singular	serve
plural	serves

1
a hit of a ball that starts the play in a game such as tennis
The serve was clearly out.
Synonyms and related words
Actions in playing games or sports
backhand
backhander
ball
1. 1a
  a particular way of serving a ball
  He’s always had a poor serve.
  Synonyms and related words
  Actions in playing games or sports
  backhand
  backhander
  ball
2
Australianinformalan instance of telling someone that you do not approve of them or their behaviour
Synonyms and related words
Criticisms and accusations
criticism
attack
reproach

serve

noun countable

US /sɜrv/

Word Forms

singular	serve
plural	serves

1
a hit of a ball that starts the play in a game such as tennis
The serve was clearly out.
Synonyms and related words
Actions in playing games or sports
backhand
backhander
ball
1. 1a
  a particular way of serving a ball
  He’s always had a poor serve.
  Synonyms and related words
  Actions in playing games or sports
  backhand
  backhander
  ball
2
Australianinformalan instance of telling someone that you do not approve of them or their behavior
Synonyms and related words
Criticisms and accusations
criticism
attack
reproach

serve

verb

UK /sɜː(r)v/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	serve
he/she/it	serves
present participle	serving
past tense	served
past participle	served

1
intransitive/transitive to provide food and drink for someone to eat at a meal
A light meal will be served during the flight.
serve something with something:
All dishes are served with a salad.
serve something to someone:
A complimentary afternoon tea is served to all guests.
serve breakfast/lunch/dinner etc:
Dinner is served between 7 and 10 pm.
serve someone with something:
The waiter served them both with salmon poached in white wine.
serve someone something:
Carolyn served them tea and cake in the garden.
serve something hot/cold etc:
The cheese is best served at room temperature.
Synonyms and related words
To provide food or accommodation
accommodate
serve
cater
1. 1a
  
  serve
  or
  serve out
  or
  serve up
  intransitive/transitive to put food onto a plate for someone
  We were served huge portions of spare ribs.
  Synonyms and related words
  To provide food or accommodation
  accommodate
  serve
  cater
2. 1b
  transitive to be enough food for a particular number of people
  The recipe serves four as a light lunch.
  Synonyms and related words
  To provide food or accommodation
  accommodate
  serve
  cater
2
intransitive/transitive to do a job or to perform duties for a person or organization
He served more than 20 years in the army.
Frank has served this company his whole working life.
serve as:
Mr Russell served as president of the Association for fifteen years.
serve on:
Henry served on numerous committees and commissions.
serve in:
I met my wife, Rachel, while serving in the Royal Navy.
serve an apprenticeship (=a period of training):
Sylvie served her apprenticeship with a top Paris designer.
Synonyms and related words
To work, and to work in a particular way
work
serve
collaborate
3
intransitive/transitive to be used for a particular purpose, especially not the main or original purpose
serve as:
Their spare room also serves as an office.
serve as a reminder/warning:
The decision should serve as a warning to companies that pollute the environment.
serve to remind/illustrate/emphasize/strengthen:
His death serves to remind us just how dangerous using drugs can be.
Synonyms and related words
To use something, or to be used
go towards
bring in
fall back on
4
transitive to help to achieve something
serve a purpose:
That’s a stupid rule. What purpose is it supposed to serve?
serve someone’s interests:
They voted for a chairman who might better serve their interests.
serve someone well:
His ability to get on with people served him well in setting up his own business.
Synonyms and related words
To help someone
help
assist
support
5
transitive to spend time in prison
serve time:
She served time in Holloway for assaulting a police officer.
serve a sentence:
He’s serving a life sentence for murder.
Synonyms and related words
Spending time in prison
behind bars
captive
captivity
6
transitive to provide a group of people or an area with something useful
These gas pipes serve the whole area.
serve the needs of:
a new hospital to serve the needs of the local community
Synonyms and related words
To provide something needed or missing
provide
supply
equip
7
intransitive/transitive to help customers to buy goods in a shop, especially by bringing them things or helping them to choose what they need
Synonyms and related words
To serve customers in a shop
serve
attend to
wait on
8
transitive legalto officially give someone a legal document that orders them to do something
serve someone with something:
She was served with a summons to appear in court.
serve something on/upon someone:
The notice must be served upon the tenant and include a legal description of the breach they have committed.
Synonyms and related words
Judgments, verdicts and official orders
acquit
acquittal
affiliation order
9
intransitive/transitive to hit a ball to your opponent in order to start playing for a point in a game such as tennis
Synonyms and related words
To kick or hit a ball in a game or sport
strike at
kick
play

phrases

it serves someone right (for doing something)

phrasal verbs

serve out

serve up

serve

verb

US /sɜrv/

Word Forms

present tense
I/you/we/they	serve
he/she/it	serves
present participle	serving
past tense	served
past participle	served

1
intransitive/transitive to provide food and drink for someone to eat at a meal
A light meal will be served during the flight.
serve breakfast/lunch/dinner etc.:
Dinner is served between 7 and 10 p.m.
serve something with something:
All dishes are served with a salad.
serve something to someone:
A complimentary afternoon snack is served to all guests.
serve someone something:
Carolyn served them iced tea on the front porch.
serve someone with something:
The waiter served them both with salmon poached in white wine.
serve something hot/cold etc.:
The cheese is best served at room temperature.
Synonyms and related words
To provide food or accommodation
accommodate
serve
cater
1. 1a
  
  serve
  or
  serve up
  intransitive/transitive to put food onto a plate for someone
  We were served huge portions of spare ribs.
  Synonyms and related words
  To provide food or accommodation
  accommodate
  serve
  cater
2. 1b
  transitive to be enough food for a particular number of people
  The recipe serves four as a light lunch.
  Synonyms and related words
  To provide food or accommodation
  accommodate
  serve
  cater
2
intransitive/transitive to do a job or to perform duties for a person or organization
He served more than 20 years in the army.
Frank has served this company his whole working life.
serve as:
Mr. Russell served as president of the Association for fifteen years.
serve on:
Henry served on numerous committees and commissions.
serve in:
I met my wife, Rachel, while serving in the Navy.
Synonyms and related words
To work, and to work in a particular way
work
serve
collaborate
3
intransitive/transitive to be used for a particular purpose, especially not the main or original purpose
serve as:
Their spare room also serves as an office.
serve as a reminder/warning:
The decision should serve as a warning to companies that pollute the environment.
serve to remind/illustrate/emphasize/strengthen:
His death serves to remind us just how dangerous using drugs can be.
Synonyms and related words
To use something, or to be used
repurpose
use
bring in
4
transitive to help to achieve something
serve a purpose:
That’s a stupid rule. What purpose is it supposed to serve?
serve someone’s interests:
They voted for a chairman who might better serve their interests.
serve someone well:
His ability to get along with people served him well in setting up his own business.
Synonyms and related words
To help someone
help
assist
support
5
transitive to spend time in prison
serve time:
She served time in the state prison for assaulting a police officer.
serve a sentence:
He’s serving a life sentence for murder.
Synonyms and related words
Spending time in prison
behind bars
captive
captivity
6
transitive to provide a group of people or an area with something useful
These gas pipes serve the whole area.
serve the needs of:
a new hospital to serve the needs of the local community
Synonyms and related words
To provide something needed or missing
provide
supply
equip
7
intransitive/transitive to help customers to buy goods in a store, especially by bringing them things or helping them to choose what they need
Synonyms and related words
To serve customers in a shop
serve
wait on
ring up
8
transitive legalto officially give someone a legal document that orders them to do something
serve someone with something:
She was served with a summons to appear in court.
serve something on/upon someone:
The notice must be served upon the tenant and include a legal description of the breach they have committed.
Synonyms and related words
Judgments, verdicts and official orders
acquit
acquittal
affiliation order
9
intransitive/transitive to hit a ball to your opponent in order to start playing for a point in a game such as tennis
Synonyms and related words
To kick or hit a ball in a game or sport
strike at
kick
play

phrases

it serves someone right (for doing something)

phrasal verbs

serve out

serve up

serve

serve

serve ​‌‌‌

serve

serve out

serve up

serve ​‌‌‌

serve

serve up

serve

serve