Serve Definition
serve
noun
- (sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play; "his powerful serves won the game"
verb
- 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"
- 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"
- contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity"
- be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses"
- help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself"
- 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"
- 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"
- 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"
- spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement"
- 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"
- deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff"
- 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"
- do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted"
- mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes"
- put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve"
"Serve" in song lyrics
See how serve is used in real songs:
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"there is a million coke spots with no coke to serve"
504 Boyz — Uptown -
"I'm live, and I serve"
Aceyalone — Too to the Max -
"Lookin for the truth in the booth when I serve"
Aceyalone & RJD2 — Caged Bird
Words that rhyme with serve
Usage tips for "serve"
Understanding the precise definition of a word helps you use it with confidence. When using "serve" in your writing, consider whether you need the word itself or one of its synonyms — subtle differences in meaning can change the tone of a sentence. If you're writing poetry or song lyrics, check the rhymes for serve to find words that pair well.