Definitions for serve

• Definition
• Anagrams (50)

serve serve

Spelling: [surv]

IPA: /sɜrv/

Serve is a 5 letter English word. It's valid Scrabble word worth 8 points. It's valid Words with friends word worth 9 points.

You can make 50 anagrams from letters in serve (eersv).

Definitions for serve

noun

1. the act, manner, or right of serving, as in tennis.

Idioms

1. serve one right, to treat one as one deserves, especially to punish justly:

verb (used with object)

1. to be in the service of; work for.
2. to be useful or of service to; help.
3. to go through (a term of service, imprisonment, etc.).
4. to render active service to (a sovereign, commander, etc.).
5. to render obedience or homage to (God, a sovereign, etc.).
6. to perform the duties of (a position, an office, etc.):
7. to answer the requirements of; suffice:
8. to contribute to; promote:
9. to wait upon at table; act as a waiter or waitress to.
10. to carry and distribute (portions of food or drink) to a patron or a specific table, as a waiter or waitress.
11. to act as a host or hostess in offering (a person) a portion of food or drink:
12. to act as a host or hostess in offering or distributing (a portion or portions of food or drink) to another:
13. to provide with a regular or continuous supply of something.
14. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to put (the ball or shuttlecock) in play.
15. to treat in a specified manner:
16. Law. to make legal delivery of (a process or writ). to present (a person) with a writ.
17. to gratify (desire, wants, needs, etc.).
18. (of a male animal) to mate with; service.
19. to operate or keep in action (a gun, artillery, etc.).
20. Nautical. to wrap (a rope) tightly with small stuff, keeping the turns as close together as possible.

verb (used without object)

1. to act as a servant.
2. to wait on table, as a waiter.
3. to offer or have a meal or refreshments available, as for patrons or guests:
4. to offer or distribute a portion or portions of food or a beverage, as a host or hostess:
5. to render assistance; be of use; help.
6. to go through a term of service, do duty as a soldier, sailor, senator, juror, etc.
7. to have definite use:
8. to answer the purpose:
9. (in tennis, badminton, handball, etc.) to put the ball or shuttlecock in play with a stroke, swing, or hit.
10. to be favorable, suitable, or convenient, as weather or time.
11. Ecclesiastical. to act as a server.

Origin of serve

1125-75; Middle English serven Old French servir Latin servīre, equivalent to serv(us) slave (cf. serf) + -īre infinitive suffix

Examples for serve

But as we are seeing all over the world, one can serve the other.

Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice turned herself in to serve a 15-month sentence for bankruptcy fraud.

He tried to recall some forgotten detail of the business that might serve to occupy him.

Krivov was sentenced to serve four years at a general regime penal colony for his fight for freedom and human rights.

All pursuits that serve to connect the soul with the world whence it came are rejected.

I would have parted with my life willingly, gladly, to serve you.

serve with the warm sauce and your choice of ice cream, whipped cream, or yogurt.

To serve your friend would have been, I deemed, a labour of love.

Placed in drinking water, fluoride can serve people who otherwise have poor access to dental care.

To make the balance even you have twenty years still to serve.'