A2verb 1K

Serve

🇬🇧 UK /["/sɜːv/","/sɜːvz/","/sɜːvd/","/ˈsɜːvɪŋ/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/sɜːrv/","/sɜːrvz/","/sɜːrvd/","/ˈsɜːrvɪŋ/"]/

Meaning of Serve

to give somebody food or drink, for example at a restaurant or during a meal

In simple words: To give food or drink to someone.

Serve in a sentence

• The waiter will serve your food shortly.
• She wants to serve her country by joining the army.
• He can serve as a mentor to the new employees.
• The tennis player can serve the ball very quickly.
• They serve a variety of dishes at the new restaurant.

How to use Serve

Use 'serve' when talking about providing food or drink in restaurants or at home. It's appropriate in formal and informal contexts, but may not be suitable in very casual conversations.

Grammar pattern

serve + object

Memory hint

Think of a waiter serving dinner — they bring the food to the table.

Related words

Collocations with Serve

• immediately
• be ready to
• to
• with
• dinner is served
• serve something chilled
• serve something cold
• merely
• only
• simply
• as
• faithfully
• loyally
• well
• continue to
• as
• in
• on
• if memory serves you
• if memory serves (you) correctly
• if memory serves you right
• merely
• only
• simply
• as
• immediately
• be ready to
• to
• with
• dinner is served
• serve something chilled
• serve something cold

Synonyms for Serve

• provide
• offer
• present
• distribute
• deliver

Opposites of Serve

• withhold
• refuse

Common mistakes with Serve

• Using 'serve' without an object, e.g., saying 'I serve' without specifying what.
• Confusing 'serve' with 'serving' as a noun and forgetting the verb form.
• Using 'serve' in intransitive sentences, e.g., 'The food serves well' instead of 'The food is served well.'

Frequently asked questions about Serve

What does Serve mean?

To give food or drink to someone.

What is the definition of Serve?

to give somebody food or drink, for example at a restaurant or during a meal

How do you use Serve in a sentence?

The waiter will serve your food shortly.

Can you give another example of Serve?

She wants to serve her country by joining the army.

What are synonyms for Serve?

Common alternatives include provide, offer, present, distribute, deliver.

What is the opposite of Serve?

Opposite meanings include withhold, refuse.

What words go with Serve?

It commonly pairs with immediately, be ready to, to, with, dinner is served, serve something chilled, serve something cold, merely, only, simply, as, faithfully, loyally, well, continue to, as, in, on, if memory serves you, if memory serves (you) correctly, if memory serves you right, merely, only, simply, as, immediately, be ready to, to, with, dinner is served, serve something chilled, serve something cold.

What are common mistakes when using Serve?

Using 'serve' without an object, e.g., saying 'I serve' without specifying what. Confusing 'serve' with 'serving' as a noun and forgetting the verb form. Using 'serve' in intransitive sentences, e.g., 'The food serves well' instead of 'The food is served well.'

How do you pronounce Serve?

US: /["/sɜːrv/","/sɜːrvz/","/sɜːrvd/","/ˈsɜːrvɪŋ/"]/, UK: /["/sɜːv/","/sɜːvz/","/sɜːvd/","/ˈsɜːvɪŋ/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Serve?

Use 'serve' when talking about providing food or drink in restaurants or at home. It's appropriate in formal and informal contexts, but may not be suitable in very casual conversations.

What CEFR level is Serve?

"Serve" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.