"serve" | Definition and Related Words

serve

Noun

(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play (synset 100569467)
"his powerful serves won the game"
referred to in:
- squash, squash rackets, squash racquets - a game played in an enclosed court by two or four players who strike the ball with long-handled rackets
- badminton - a game played on a court with light long-handled rackets used to volley a shuttlecock over a net
- lawn tennis, tennis - a game played with rackets by two or four players who hit a ball back and forth over a net that divides the court
is a type of: tennis shot, tennis stroke - the act of hitting a tennis ball with a tennis racket
subtypes:
- ace - a serve that the receiver is unable to reach
- fault - (sports) a serve that is illegal (e.g., that lands outside the prescribed area)
- let, net ball - a serve that strikes the net before falling into the receiver's court; the ball must be served again
same as: service

Verb

Serve a purpose, role, or function (synset 202676679)
"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"

is a type of: answer, do, serve, suffice - be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
subtypes:
- prelude - serve as a prelude or opening to
- act as - function as or act like
same as: function

verb group: serve, service - be used by; as of a utility
Do duty or hold offices;
Serve in a specific function (synset 201097629)
"He served as head of the department for three years"; "She served in Congress for two terms"

is a type of: do work, work - be employed
subtypes:
- sit - serve in a specific professional capacity
- staff - serve on the staff of
- act - discharge one's duties
- rotate - perform a job or duty on a rotating basis
- function, officiate - perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function
- caddie, caddy - act as a caddie and carry clubs for a player
- represent - be a delegate or spokesperson for; represent somebody's interest or be a proxy or substitute for, as of politicians and office holders representing their constituents, or of a tenant representing other tenants in a housing dispute
verb group: serve - do military service
Contribute or conduce to (synset 202676187)
"The scandal served to increase his popularity"

is a type of: effect, effectuate, set up - produce

subtypes: facilitate, help - be of use

verb group: serve, serve well - promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
Be used by;
As of a utility (synset 202546948)
"The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"

is a type of: function, go, operate, run, work - perform as expected when applied

same as: service

verb group: function, serve - serve a purpose, role, or function
Help to some food;
Help with food or drink (synset 201183592)
"I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"

is a type of: cater, ply, provide, supply - give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

same as: help

verb group: dish, dish out, dish up, serve, serve up - provide (usually but not necessarily food)
Provide (usually but not necessarily food) (synset 201182648)
"We serve meals for the homeless"; "She dished out the soup at 8 P.M."; "The entertainers served up a lively show"

is a type of: cater, ply, provide, supply - give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance

subtypes: plank - cook and serve on a plank

same as: dish, dish out, dish up, serve up

verb group: help, serve - help to some food; help with food or drink
Devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas (synset 202599263)
"She served the art of music"; "He served the church"; "serve the country"

is a type of: work - exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity

verb group: assist, attend, attend to, serve, wait on - work for or be a servant to
Promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to (synset 202676367)
"Art serves commerce"; "Their interests are served"; "The lake serves recreation"; "The President's wisdom has served the country well"

is a type of: foster, nurture - help develop, help grow

same as: serve well

verb group: serve - contribute or conduce to
Spend time in prison or in a labor camp (synset 202714981)
"He did six years for embezzlement"

is a type of: pass, spend - use up a period of time in a specific way

subtypes: admit - serve as a means of entrance

same as: do
Work for or be a servant to (synset 202546367)
"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"

is a type of: aid, assist, help - give help or assistance; be of service
subtypes:
- valet - serve as a personal attendant to
- fag - act as a servant for older boys, in British public schools
same as: assist, attend, attend to, wait on

verb group: serve - devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas
Deliver a warrant or summons to someone (synset 201441318)
"He was processed by the sheriff"

is a type of: deliver - bring to a destination, make a delivery
subtypes:
- subpoena - serve or summon with a subpoena
- rinse, wash - clean with some chemical process
same as: process, swear out
Be sufficient;
Be adequate, either in quality or quantity (synset 202675578)
"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"

is a type of: fulfil, fulfill, live up to, satisfy - meet the requirements or expectations of
subtypes:
- bridge over, keep going, tide over - suffice for a period between two points
- go a long way - suffice or be adequate for a while or to a certain extent
- function, serve - serve a purpose, role, or function
- measure up, qualify - prove capable or fit; meet requirements
- go around - be sufficient
same as: answer, do, suffice
Do military service (synset 202416751)
"She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"

is a type of: do work, work - be employed

verb group: serve - do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function
Mate with (synset 201430644)
"male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"

is a type of: copulate, couple, mate, pair - engage in sexual intercourse

subtypes: stand - be available for stud services

same as: service
Put the ball into play (synset 201079961)
"It was Agassi's turn to serve"

referred to in: court game - an athletic game played on a court

is a type of: go, move - have a turn; make one's move in a game

subtypes: ace - serve an ace against (someone)

serve

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