Language Research

serve · verb

/sɜːv/Full view

Word family

Nouns: servant, serve, server, service, disservice, serving, the services

Adjectives: serviceable, servile

Verbs: serve, service

serve (PROVIDE FOOD/DRINK)

A2 T to give someone food or drink, especially guests or customers in a restaurant or bar

Dictionary examples:

Do they serve meals in the bar?

Breakfast is served in the restaurant between 7 and 9.

We arrived at the hotel and were served with champagne and strawberries.

All recipes in this book will serve 4 to 5 people.

Serve the tarts hot with custard or whipped cream.

Learner example:

We ate a lot because my mom served many kinds of food [at] my party. (Key English Test; A2; Indonesian)

serve (SHOP)

B1 T to help customers and sell things to them in a shop

Dictionary example:

Are you being served?

Learner example:

I also learnt a lot about how to serve c[u]st[o]mers and how to use a till. (First Certificate in English; B2; Spanish)

serve (BE USEFUL)

C1 I to be useful as something

Dictionary examples:

It's a very entertaining film but it also serves an educational purpose.

The spare bedroom also serves as a study.

He hopes his son's death will serve to warn others about the dangers of owning a gun.

Nothing serves to explain the violent fighting we have seen recently.

Learner example:

As for replanting, it will serve to rejuvenate our forests around Agrinio. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; Greek)

serve (WORK)

C1 I or T to do work that helps society, for example in an organization such as the army or the government

Dictionary examples:

to serve in the army

to serve on a committee/jury

He served as mayor for 5 years.

He always wanted to serve his country.

Learner example:

Women in the former GDR [ha]d the same rights and had to fulfill nearly the same duties (except the duty to serve in the army) as men. (Certificate in Advanced English; C1; German)

serve (PRISON)

C2 T to be in prison for a period of time

Dictionary example:

Williams, 42, is serving a four-year jail sentence.

Learner example:

It all came to me in prison where I was serving [a] two-year sentence. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Polish)

serve a/the purpose

C2 to have a use

Dictionary example:

These small village shops serve a very useful purpose.

Learner example:

They introduced meetings at Miss Kenton's parlour which were held every evening and served [the] purpose of discussing house running. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; Russian)