serve
gb/sˈɚv/ us/sˈɚv/
A2
English
~ 700
Senses
0 senses
Verb
A2
action
1
Give food or drink to someone
To give food or drink to someone.
Usage pattern:
to serve [someone] [something]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'serve' with 'cook'; 'serve' means to give the prepared food, not to make it.
Synonyms
offer (More general; can apply to anything, not just food or drink.)
Antonyms
withhold (Refuse to give something, such as food or drink.)
Collocations
serve dinner
|serve drinks
|serve a meal
|serve customers
Themes
daily life
|hospitality
|food_drink
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The waiter served us our meals quickly.
- They serve breakfast until 10 a.m.
- She served coffee to her guests after dinner.
Learner examples
- The man served me soup.
- She serves tea in the morning.
- They serve lunch at noon.
Verb
B1
action
2
Work for or help someone
To work for and help a person or group.
Usage pattern:
to serve [a person/an organization]
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'serve' with 'work'; 'serve' often implies duty, loyalty, or official role.
Synonyms
assist (Focuses on helping rather than formal duty.)
Antonyms
neglect (Fail to fulfill duties toward someone or something.)
Collocations
serve the public
|serve in the army
|serve a company
Themes
work
|government
|business
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She served as secretary for five years.
- He served his country during the war.
- The lawyer has served many clients over the years.
Learner examples
- He serves in the army.
- She serves the company well.
- They serve the people of this town.
Verb
B2
action
3
Spend time completing duty or sentence
To spend a set time doing a job or being in prison.
Usage pattern:
to serve [a sentence/a term]
Common mistake:
Learners might confuse 'serve time' with 'spend time'; in legal context, 'serve' is specific to fulfilling a sentence.
Synonyms
fulfill (More general; to carry out an obligation, not necessarily time-based.)
Antonyms
evade (Avoid serving time or duty.)
Collocations
serve a sentence
|serve time in prison
|serve a term
Themes
law
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- He served ten years in prison.
- She served two terms as mayor.
- They served their apprenticeship before becoming full members.
Learner examples
- He served five years in jail.
- She served one year as president.
- They served their time and left.
Verb
A2
action
4
Hit or throw ball to start play
To send the ball into play at the start of a point in a sport.
Usage pattern:
to serve [the ball]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'serve' with 'hit'; 'serve' is specifically the action that starts play.
Synonyms
deliver (In sports, refers generally to sending the ball into play.)
Antonyms
receive (To be on the receiving end of a serve.)
Collocations
serve an ace
|serve the ball
|serve into the net
Themes
sports
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She served an ace to win the game.
- He served the ball over the net with great speed.
- It's your turn to serve.
Learner examples
- She serves the ball fast.
- It is my turn to serve.
- He serves into the net.
Verb
B1
state
5
Be used for a purpose
To be used for something.
Usage pattern:
to serve as [something]
Common mistake:
Learners may overuse 'is' instead of 'serve as' when describing function.
Synonyms
function (Focuses on performing a role or purpose.)
Antonyms
fail (Not fulfill the intended purpose.)
Collocations
serve as an example
|serve a purpose
|serve as a reminder
Themes
general
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- This incident serves as a warning to others.
- The sofa also serves as a bed.
- Her story serves as an inspiration.
Learner examples
- This photo serves as a memory.
- The box serves as a table.
- Water serves many purposes.
Grammar
Dictionary form
serve
IPA
GB/sˈɚv/
US/sˈɚv/
Syllables & stress
serve (1 syllable)
Stress on 1st syllable (serve)
Word forms
Verb
- Base: serve
- 3rd Person Singular: serves
- Present Participle: serving
- Past: served
Word family
Forms
serves
verb
serving
verb
served
verb
Related words
servant
noun A2
Negative and opposite forms
disservice
noun
Advanced or less common
serviceable
adjective B2
servitude
noun C1
Expressions
serve notice
1/sˈɚv nˈoʊtɪs/
fixed phrase
formal
Formally inform someone officially
To officially tell someone something, often about ending an agreement or starting legal action.
Examples
- The landlord served notice to vacate the apartment.
- They served notice of their intention to strike.
serve out one's term
1/sˈɚv ˈaʊt wˈʌnz tˈɚm/
fixed phrase
Complete full period before leaving role/sentence
To finish all the time you are supposed to spend in a job, office, or prison before leaving it.
Examples
- The president served out his term despite criticism.
- She served out her sentence and was released.
serve time
1/sˈɚv tˈaɪm/
fixed phrase
Spend time in prison as punishment
To be in prison for a set period as punishment for a crime.
Examples
- He served time for robbery.
- Many criminals serve time before returning to society.
serve up
1/sˈɚv ˈʌp/
phrasal verb
Present food or something else for use/enjoyment
To give food or something else to people so they can eat, use, or enjoy it.
Examples
- They served up a delicious meal.
- The show serves up plenty of laughs.
serve someone right
1/sˈɚv sˈʌmwˌʌn ɹˈaɪt/
idiom
informal
Be deservedly punished or harmed
To mean that someone got what they deserved because of their actions.
Examples
- It serves him right for lying.
- If she failed the test, it serves her right; she never studied.
serve someone right
2/sˈɚv sˈʌmwˌʌn ɹˈaɪt/
idiom
informal
deserved punishment for actions
Used when something bad happens to someone because they deserve it for what they did.
Examples
- It serves him right for lying.
- If she failed, it serves her right after all that cheating.