Definition of serve - Reverso English Dictionary
Verb
1.
restauranttr. provide food or drink to someonetr.
- They serve dinner at 7 PM.
2.
employmentintr. work for someone or provide a serviceintr.
- She will serve the community as a doctor..
3.
workintr. perform a duty or fulfill a roleintr.
- He served on the committee for two years.
4.
utilitytr. be useful or fulfill a purposetr.
- This tool serves multiple functions.
5.
sportstr. put the ball into play in sportstr.
- She served the ball with great skill.
6.
serviceintr. spend time in prison or militaryintr.
- He served five years in the army.
7.
supplytr. provide a regular supply of somethingtr.
- The company serves the entire region with electricity.
8.
legaltr. deliver a legal document to someonetr.
- The lawyer served the summons yesterday.
Noun
1.
foodUS portion of food or drinkUS
- She had a large serve of pasta for dinner.
2.
sportsact of starting play in sports
- His serve was fast and accurate.
3.
- He gave a serve with his stylish outfit.
Images of serve

portion of food or drink
Expressions with serve
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provide food or drinks
The host will serve up a delicious meal tonight..
distribute or deal out items
They served out the food to the guests.
be in prison as punishment for a crime
He had to serve time for robbery.
maintain one's position or advantage
Despite the challenges, he was able to hold serve in the negotiations.
undergo training in a specific trade or profession
She decided to serve an apprenticeship in carpentry.
be deserved punishment or misfortune
It will serve him right if he gets fired for being late.
deserve a negative outcome due to past actions
If he gets punished, it will serve them right.
try to satisfy two conflicting demands
He found it hard to serve two masters at work and home.
be a deserved punishment or misfortune
It served Liam right when he got fined for cutting in line.
deserve a negative outcome for one's actions
He was late again, so it served him right.
receive a deserved negative outcome for actions
If I fail, it will serve me right.
undergo training under a skilled professional
He served his apprenticeship with a master carpenter.
fulfill the requirements or needs
The temporary solution served its purpose until a permanent fix was found.
complete a period of apprenticeship
She served her time as a carpenter before starting her own business.
spend a period in prison as punishment
He had to serve time in jail for theft.
deserve a negative outcome for one's actions
If we fail the test, it will serve us right.
deserve a negative outcome due to past actions
If you get wet, it will serve you right for not bringing an umbrella.
help achieve one's goals or purposes
He manipulated the situation to serve his ends.
be useful or helpful for a purpose
This old computer will serve my turn until I can afford a new one.
having equal games won as served
The match is currently on serve in the second set.
perform duties or services for me effectively
Her skills and dedication serve me well in my business.
be good enough for what is needed
This old box will serve the purpose.
to be helpful or useful to someone
A good education will serve you well in life.
frozen dairy treat dispensed from a machine, softer than regular ice cream
I ordered vanilla soft serve after the movie.
Origin of serve
Latin, servire (to serve)
Terms with serve included in their meaning
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beverage
serve a drink to someone
food
serve or transfer with a small bowl-ended utensil
eating
to serve oneself food
social
serve as an informal alternative to a formal greeting
cooking
serve food into a dish
location
serve as the dwelling place for something
self-service meal
meal where guests serve themselves from dishes
serving
dish designed to serve cake
serving container
container used to serve chips in restaurants
food serving
serve food onto plates for eating
food serving
serve cooked food onto plates
functionality
serve a second purpose or function at the same time
pet feeding
bowl used to serve food to pets
self service
serve oneself, especially with food or supplies
self-service
serve oneself food without asking permission
self-service
serve yourself without assistance
self-service
serve yourself without waiting for assistance
cooking
serve soup or liquid with a long-handled scoop
cooking
serve soup using a ladle
business hours
time when a business or service begins to serve the public
serving drinks
serve a drink into a cup or glass
hospitality
serve customers in a restaurant or cafe
cafeteria
flat object used to carry or serve food
establishment
describing a place where customers serve themselves
Examples of serve in a sentence
A waiter served us tea on the terrace. He decided to serve in the military. They serve meals to the homeless every weekend. She served as a mentor for new employees. They served the community with dedication. The manual serves as a guide for beginners.
His actions serve no real purpose here. He served an ace to win the match. The player served with precision and speed. She served two years in a federal prison. Many soldiers serve their country with honor. The restaurant serves fresh seafood daily. This pipeline serves the entire city with water. The court official served the eviction notice promptly. She was served with divorce papers at her office. The serve of ice cream was generous. He asked for another serve of salad. The tennis player's serve was unbeatable. Her serve in volleyball won the match. Her serve at the gala was unforgettable. The fashion show featured a stunning serve by the model.
View all translations of serve
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:servir, service, ...
- German:servieren, Portion, ...
- Italian:servire, porzione, ...
- Spanish:servir, porción, ...
- Portuguese:servir, porção, ...
- Chinese:供应, 份量, ...
- Japanese:出す, 一人前, ...
- Arabic:قَدَّمَ, حِصَّة, ...
- Hebrew:לְהַגִּישׁ, מָנָה, ...
- Russian:подавать, порция, ...
- Ukrainian:подавати, порція, ...
- Hindi:परोसना, परोस, ...
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