Serve (Verb)
Meaning 1
Mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes".
Classification
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging.
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Meaning 2
Help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself".
Classification
Verbs of eating and drinking.
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Meaning 3
Devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas; "She served the art of music"; "He served the church"; "serve the country".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Meaning 4
Work for or be a servant to; "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".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
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Meaning 5
Provide (usually but not necessarily food); "We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M."; "The entertainers served up a lively show".
Classification
Verbs of eating and drinking.
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Hypernyms
Meaning 6
Be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity; "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".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
Synonyms
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Meaning 7
Do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function; "He served as head of the department for three years"; "She served in Congress for two terms".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Hypernyms
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Meaning 8
Do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Hypernyms
Meaning 9
Be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses".
Classification
Verbs of political and social activities and events.
Synonyms
Hypernyms
Meaning 10
Promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to; "Art serves commerce"; "Their interests are served"; "The lake serves recreation"; "The President's wisdom has served the country well".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
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Meaning 11
Serve a purpose, role, or function; "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".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
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Meaning 12
Spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.
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Hypernyms
Meaning 13
Put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve".
Classification
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities.
Hypernyms
Related Words
Meaning 14
Contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity".
Classification
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations.