English dictionary



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English noun: serve

1. serve (act) (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play


SamplesHis powerful serves won the game.


Synonymsservice


Broader (hypernym)tennis shot, tennis stroke


Narrower (hyponym)ace, fault, let, net ball


Domain categorybadminton, lawn tennis, squash, squash rackets, squash racquets, tennis


English verb: serve

1. serve (stative) serve a purpose, role, or function


SamplesThe tree stump serves as a table.
The female students served as a control group.
This table would serve very well.
His freedom served him well.
The table functions as a desk.


Synonymsfunction


Pattern of useSomething ----s.
Somebody ----s.
Somebody ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)answer, do, serve, suffice


Narrower (hyponym)act as, prelude


Verb groupserve, service

2. serve (competition) do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function


SamplesHe served as head of the department for three years.
She served in Congress for two terms.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s.
Somebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)do work, work


Narrower (hyponym)act, caddie, caddy, function, officiate, represent, rotate, sit, staff


Verb groupserve

3. serve (stative) contribute or conduce to


SamplesThe scandal served to increase his popularity.


Pattern of useSomething is ----ing PP.
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE


Broader (hypernym)effect, effectuate, set up


Narrower (hyponym)facilitate, help


Verb groupserve, serve well

4. serve (social) be used by; as of a utility


SamplesThe sewage plant served the neighboring communities.
The garage served to shelter his horses.


Synonymsservice


Pattern of useSomething is ----ing PP.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something.
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE


Broader (hypernym)function, go, operate, run, work


Verb groupfunction, serve

5. serve (consumption) help to some food; help with food or drink


SamplesI served him three times, and after that he helped himself.


ExamplesSam cannot serve Sue


Synonymshelp


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)cater, ply, provide, supply


Verb groupdish, dish out, dish up, serve, serve up

6. serve (consumption) provide (usually but not necessarily food)


SamplesWe serve meals for the homeless.
She dished out the soup at 8 P.M..
The entertainers served up a lively show.


ExamplesThe chefs serve the vegetables


Synonymsdish, dish out, dish up, serve up


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something


Broader (hypernym)cater, ply, provide, supply


Narrower (hyponym)plank


Verb grouphelp, serve

7. serve (social) devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas


SamplesShe served the art of music.
He served the church.
Serve the country.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody


Broader (hypernym)work


Verb groupassist, attend, attend to, serve, wait on

8. serve (stative) promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to


SamplesArt serves commerce.
Their interests are served.
The lake serves recreation.
The President's wisdom has served the country well.


Synonymsserve well


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Something ----s somebody.
Something ----s something


Broader (hypernym)foster, nurture


Verb groupserve

9. serve (stative) spend time in prison or in a labor camp


SamplesHe did six years for embezzlement.


Synonymsdo


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s PP


Broader (hypernym)pass, spend


Narrower (hyponym)admit

10. serve (social) work for or be a servant to


SamplesMay I serve you?.
She attends the old lady in the wheelchair.
Can you wait on our table, please?.
Is a salesperson assisting you?.
The minister served the King for many years.


ExamplesSam cannot serve Sue


Synonymsassist, attend, attend to, wait on


Pattern of useSomebody ----s somebody.
Somebody ----s somebody with something


Broader (hypernym)aid, assist, help


Narrower (hyponym)fag, valet


Verb groupserve

11. serve (contact) deliver a warrant or summons to someone


SamplesHe was processed by the sheriff.


Synonymsprocess, swear out


Pattern of useSomebody ----s something.
Somebody ----s somebody with something


Broader (hypernym)deliver


Narrower (hyponym)rinse, subpoena, wash

12. serve (stative) be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity


SamplesA few words would answer.
This car suits my purpose well.
Will $100 do?.
A 'B' grade doesn't suffice to get me into medical school.
Nothing else will serve.


Synonymsanswer, do, suffice


Pattern of useSomething ----s


Broader (hypernym)fulfil, fulfill, live up to, satisfy


Narrower (hyponym)bridge over, function, go a long way, go around, keep going, measure up, qualify, serve, tide over

13. serve (social) do military service


SamplesShe served in Vietnam.
My sons never served, because they are short-sighted.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s


Broader (hypernym)do work, work


Verb groupserve

14. serve (contact) mate with


SamplesMale animals serve the females for breeding purposes.


Synonymsservice


Pattern of useSomething ----s something


Broader (hypernym)copulate, couple, mate, pair


Narrower (hyponym)stand

15. serve (competition) put the ball into play


SamplesIt was Agassi's turn to serve.


Pattern of useSomebody ----s


Broader (hypernym)go, move


Narrower (hyponym)ace


Domain categorycourt game









Based on WordNet 3.0 copyright © Princeton University.
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