Dictionary entry details
• SERVE (noun)
Meaning:
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play
Classified under:
Nouns denoting acts or actions
Synonyms:
serve; service
Context example:
his powerful serves won the game
Hypernyms ("serve" is a kind of...):
tennis shot; tennis stroke (the act of hitting a tennis ball with a tennis racket)
Domain category:
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)
Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "serve"):
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)
• SERVE (verb)
Meaning:
Serve a purpose, role, or function
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
serve; function
Context examples:
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
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
answer; do; serve; suffice (be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
prelude (serve as a prelude or opening to)
act as (function as or act like)
Sentence frames:
Something ----s
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Context examples:
He served as head of the department for three years / She served in Congress for two terms
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
do work; work (be employed)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
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)
caddie; caddy (act as a caddie and carry clubs for a player)
function; officiate (perform duties attached to a particular office or place or function)
rotate (perform a job or duty on a rotating basis)
act (discharge one's duties)
staff (serve on the staff of)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s
Somebody ----s PP
Meaning:
Contribute or conduce to
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Context example:
The scandal served to increase his popularity
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
effect; effectuate; set up (produce)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
facilitate; help (be of use)
Sentence frames:
Something is ----ing PP
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Meaning:
Be used by; as of a utility
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
service; serve
Context examples:
The sewage plant served the neighboring communities / The garage served to shelter his horses
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
function; go; operate; run; work (perform as expected when applied)
Sentence frames:
Something is ----ing PP
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Somebody ----s to INFINITIVE
Meaning:
Help to some food; help with food or drink
Classified under:
Verbs of eating and drinking
Synonyms:
serve; help
Context example:
I served him three times, and after that he helped himself
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
cater; ply; provide; supply (provide what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s somebody
Sentence example:
Sam cannot serve Sue
Meaning:
Provide (usually but not necessarily food)
Classified under:
Verbs of eating and drinking
Synonyms:
dish; serve up; dish up; dish out; serve
Context examples:
We serve meals for the homeless / She dished out the soup at 8 P.M. / The entertainers served up a lively show
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
cater; ply; provide; supply (provide what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
plank (cook and serve on a plank)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s something
Sentence example:
The chefs serve the vegetables
Meaning:
Devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Context examples:
She served the art of music / He served the church / serve the country
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
work (exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody
Meaning:
Promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
serve well; serve
Context examples:
Art serves commerce / Their interests are served / The lake serves recreation / The President's wisdom has served the country well
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
foster; nurture (help develop, help grow)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Something ----s somebody
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Spend time in prison or in a labor camp
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
serve; do
Context example:
He did six years for embezzlement
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
pass; spend (pass (time) in a specific way)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
admit (serve as a means of entrance)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s PP
Meaning:
Work for or be a servant to
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Synonyms:
wait on; attend to; assist; attend; serve
Context examples:
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
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
aid; assist; help (give help or assistance; be of service)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
valet (serve as a personal attendant to)
fag (act as a servant for older boys, in British public schools)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s somebody
Somebody ----s somebody with something
Sentence example:
Sam cannot serve Sue
Meaning:
Deliver a warrant or summons to someone
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
swear out; process; serve
Context example:
He was processed by the sheriff
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
deliver (bring to a destination, make a delivery)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
rinse; wash (clean with some chemical process)
subpoena (serve or summon with a subpoena)
Sentence frames:
Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody with something
Meaning:
Be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
Classified under:
Verbs of being, having, spatial relations
Synonyms:
suffice; do; answer; serve
Context examples:
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
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
fulfil; fulfill; live up to; satisfy (fulfil the requirements or expectations of)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
go around (be sufficient)
measure up; qualify (prove capable or fit; meet requirements)
function; serve (serve a purpose, role, or function)
go a long way (suffice or be adequate for a while or to a certain extent)
bridge over; keep going; tide over (suffice for a period between two points)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s
Meaning:
Do military service
Classified under:
Verbs of political and social activities and events
Context examples:
She served in Vietnam / My sons never served, because they are short-sighted
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
do work; work (be employed)
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
Meaning:
Mate with
Classified under:
Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging
Synonyms:
service; serve
Context example:
male animals serve the females for breeding purposes
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
copulate; couple; mate; pair (make love)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
stand (be available for stud services)
Sentence frame:
Something ----s something
Meaning:
Put the ball into play
Classified under:
Verbs of fighting, athletic activities
Context example:
It was Agassi's turn to serve
Hypernyms (to "serve" is one way to...):
go; move (have a turn; make one's move in a game)
Domain category:
court game (an athletic game played on a court)
Troponyms (each of the following is one way to "serve"):
ace (serve an ace against (someone))
Sentence frame:
Somebody ----s
