serve
/sɜːv/- 1.
To give food or drink to someone. It can also mean to bring food to a table.
- She served tea after lunch.
- The waiter served us quickly.
- 2.
To help or be useful to someone or something. This is common in formal and practical contexts.
- This room serves as a study.
- The new law serves the public well.
- 3.
To work for an organization, country, or person. It often sounds formal or respectful.
- He served in the army for five years.
- She served as manager last year.
- 4.
In sports, to start play by hitting or throwing the ball. It is common in tennis, volleyball, and similar games.
- It is your turn to serve.
- She served an ace.
Adinary Nuance
Serve is broader than give, help, or work. Use it when you want to show usefulness, service, or a formal role. In food contexts, it is more specific than bring because it means placing food for someone to eat. In work or duty contexts, it often sounds more formal than simply work.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- phục vụ
- Spanish
- servir
- Chinese
- 服务
- Japanese
- 仕える
- Korean
- 봉사하다
Etymology
Serve comes from Old French servir, from Latin servire, meaning 'to be a servant' or 'to be useful'. It entered English in the Middle English period.
Common phrases
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is serve formal or informal?
- It can be both, but some uses sound formal, especially in work, duty, or official contexts.
- What is the difference between serve and provide?
- Serve often means giving help, food, or a function. Provide means supplying something more directly.
- Can I say serve as in a sentence?
- Yes. Use it to say something has a role or function, like 'This room serves as an office.'
- Is serve common in IELTS and academic writing?
- Yes. It is common when describing purpose, function, duty, or service.