Serve — synonyms, definition

1. serve (Verb)

accept accompany act administer advance agree aid answer assist attend attend to avail bargain be sufficient be useful benefit better bring bring forward carry on • • •

serve (Verb) — Act to fulfil a purpose, role, or function. ex. "The tree stump serves as a table" ex. "The female students served as a control group" ex. "This table would serve very well" ex. "His freedom served him well"

serve (Verb) — Do duty or hold office; perform a specific function. ex. "He served as head of the department for three years" ex. "She served in Congress for two terms"

serve (Verb) — Contribute or conduce to. ex. "The scandal served to increase his popularity"

serve (Verb) — Be used by; as of a utility. ex. "The garage served to shelter his horses" ex. "The sewage plant served the neighbouring communities"

serve (Verb) — Give a portion of food or drink. ex. "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"

serve (Verb) — Provide (usually but not necessarily food). ex. "We serve meals for the homeless" ex. "The entertainers served up a lively show"

serve (Verb) — Devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas. ex. "She served the art of music" ex. "He served the church" ex. "serve the country"

serve (Verb) — Promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to. ex. "Art serves commerce" ex. "Their interests are served" ex. "The lake serves recreation" ex. "The President's wisdom has served the country well"

serve (Verb) — Spend time in prison or in a labour camp. ex. "He served six years for embezzlement"

serve (Verb) — Work for or be a servant to. ex. "May I serve you?" ex. "The minister served the King for many years"

serve (Verb) — Deliver a warrant or summons to someone. ex. "He was served by the sheriff"

serve (Verb) — Be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity. ex. "Nothing else will serve"

serve (Verb) — Do military service. ex. "She served in Vietnam" ex. "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"

serve (Verb) — Mate with. ex. "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"

serve (Verb) — (court game) put the ball into play. ex. "It was Agassi's turn to serve"

aid assist cater copulate couple deliver do work effect effectuate foster fulfil fulfill function go help live up to mate move nurture operate • • • ace act act as admit bridge over caddie caddy facilitate fag function go a long way go around help keep going measure up officiate plank prelude qualify represent • • •

2. serve (Noun)

serve (Noun) — (sport) a stroke that puts the ball in play. ex. "his powerful serves won the game"

tennis shot tennis stroke ace fault let net ball Badminton lawn tennis tennis