English noun: serve | |||
1. | serve (act) (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play | ||
Samples | His powerful serves won the game. | ||
Synonyms | service | ||
Broader (hypernym) | tennis shot, tennis stroke | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | ace, fault, let, net ball | ||
Domain category | badminton, lawn tennis, squash, squash rackets, squash racquets, tennis | ||
English verb: serve | |||
1. | serve (stative) serve a purpose, role, or function | ||
Samples | The 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. | ||
Synonyms | function | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s. Somebody ----s. Somebody ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | answer, do, serve, suffice | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | act as, prelude | ||
Verb group | serve, service | ||
2. | serve (competition) do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function | ||
Samples | He served as head of the department for three years. She served in Congress for two terms. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s. Somebody ----s PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | do work, work | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | act, caddie, caddy, function, officiate, represent, rotate, sit, staff | ||
Verb group | serve | ||
3. | serve (stative) contribute or conduce to | ||
Samples | The scandal served to increase his popularity. | ||
Pattern of use | Something is ----ing PP. Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE | ||
Broader (hypernym) | effect, effectuate, set up | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | facilitate, help | ||
Verb group | serve, serve well | ||
4. | serve (social) be used by; as of a utility | ||
Samples | The sewage plant served the neighboring communities. The garage served to shelter his horses. | ||
Synonyms | service | ||
Pattern of use | Something is ----ing PP. Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something. Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE | ||
Broader (hypernym) | function, go, operate, run, work | ||
Verb group | function, serve | ||
5. | serve (consumption) help to some food; help with food or drink | ||
Samples | I served him three times, and after that he helped himself. | ||
Examples | Sam cannot serve Sue | ||
Synonyms | help | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | cater, ply, provide, supply | ||
Verb group | dish, dish out, dish up, serve, serve up | ||
6. | serve (consumption) provide (usually but not necessarily food) | ||
Samples | We serve meals for the homeless. She dished out the soup at 8 P.M.. The entertainers served up a lively show. | ||
Examples | The chefs serve the vegetables | ||
Synonyms | dish, dish out, dish up, serve up | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | cater, ply, provide, supply | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | plank | ||
Verb group | help, serve | ||
7. | serve (social) devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas | ||
Samples | She served the art of music. He served the church. Serve the country. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s somebody | ||
Broader (hypernym) | work | ||
Verb group | assist, attend, attend to, serve, wait on | ||
8. | serve (stative) promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to | ||
Samples | Art serves commerce. Their interests are served. The lake serves recreation. The President's wisdom has served the country well. | ||
Synonyms | serve well | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Something ----s somebody. Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | foster, nurture | ||
Verb group | serve | ||
9. | serve (stative) spend time in prison or in a labor camp | ||
Samples | He did six years for embezzlement. | ||
Synonyms | do | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s something. Somebody ----s PP | ||
Broader (hypernym) | pass, spend | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | admit | ||
10. | serve (social) work for or be a servant to | ||
Samples | May 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. | ||
Examples | Sam cannot serve Sue | ||
Synonyms | assist, attend, attend to, wait on | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s somebody. Somebody ----s somebody with something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | aid, assist, help | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | fag, valet | ||
Verb group | serve | ||
11. | serve (contact) deliver a warrant or summons to someone | ||
Samples | He was processed by the sheriff. | ||
Synonyms | process, swear out | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----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 | ||
Samples | A 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. | ||
Synonyms | answer, do, suffice | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----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 | ||
Samples | She served in Vietnam. My sons never served, because they are short-sighted. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | do work, work | ||
Verb group | serve | ||
14. | serve (contact) mate with | ||
Samples | Male animals serve the females for breeding purposes. | ||
Synonyms | service | ||
Pattern of use | Something ----s something | ||
Broader (hypernym) | copulate, couple, mate, pair | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | stand | ||
15. | serve (competition) put the ball into play | ||
Samples | It was Agassi's turn to serve. | ||
Pattern of use | Somebody ----s | ||
Broader (hypernym) | go, move | ||
Narrower (hyponym) | ace | ||
Domain category | court game | ||