serve
4 antonyms and opposites of serve, grouped by meaning.
Verb — To provide help, food, or a service to someone.
Antonyms
How to use serve
The word patterns that sound natural to a native speaker.
Etymology
From Old French servir, from Latin servire ("to serve"), related to servus ("slave; servant").
Full origin of serve →Frequently asked questions
What does “serve” mean?
The word “serve” means to provide help, food, or a service to someone. In plain terms, to help someone, provide something they need, or work for them — also the opening shot in racket sports.
How do you pronounce “serve”?
“Serve” is pronounced surv (/sɝv/ in IPA).
How do you use “serve” in a sentence?
Here is “serve” used in a sentence: “The waiter served our food quickly.”
What is another word for “serve”?
Words with a similar meaning to “serve” include attend, bestand, aid, wait on, attend to and await.
What is the opposite of “serve”?
The opposite of “serve” — its antonyms — are receive, govern, order and rule.
What part of speech is “serve”?
Depending on how it is used, “serve” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “serve” come from?
The word “serve” comes from Latin. From Old French servir, from Latin servire ("to serve"), related to servus ("slave; servant").
Is “serve” a common word?
“Serve” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between serve and service?
Serve is usually the verb, meaning to provide food, help, or a service, as in 'they serve lunch at noon'. Service is usually the noun, naming the help provided, as in 'the service was excellent'. Service can also work as a verb for maintaining machines, as in 'to service a car'.
What are the different meanings of serve?
Serve has several senses. It can mean to bring food or drink to someone, to help customers or the public, to work for an organisation such as the army, to spend time in a role or a sentence, and, in sport, to put the ball into play. Context shows which meaning applies.
What is an example of serve in a sentence?
You might say 'the waiter will serve your meal shortly', 'she chose to serve her community as a nurse', or 'he will serve first in the tennis match'. Each shows a different sense: providing food, giving help or duty, and putting the ball into play in a game.
Is serve a formal word?
Serve is neutral and fits both everyday and formal settings. It sounds ordinary in 'serve dinner' yet dignified in 'serve one's country'. Because it carries a sense of providing for others, it often appears in respectful or official language, but it is equally at home in casual conversation.