reserve
rih-ZURV
Reserve (verb) means to book or set something aside in advance for later use. Example: “Please reserve two seats near the front.”
verb
1
To book or set something aside in advance for later use.
"Please reserve two seats near the front."
"They reserved the conference room for the whole afternoon."
"I would like to reserve a table for four at eight o'clock tonight."
noun
1
A supply of something kept back for future use, such as money, resources, or troops.
"The company built up a cash reserve for emergencies."
"The country holds large oil reserves."
"The hikers kept a reserve of water in case the trail took longer than planned."
2
Emotional restraint; a tendency to hold back feelings or opinions.
"He greeted the news with characteristic reserve."
"Her natural reserve made it hard for new colleagues to get to know her."
"It took months of friendship before he lost his reserve and talked openly about his feelings."
How to use reserve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo hold something back for later, or the thing being held back — money, land, feelings, or a spot in a queue.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
reserve a table
financial reserves
natural reserves
hold something in reserve
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Word forms
- Plural
- reserves
- Third person singular
- reserves
- Past tense
- reserved
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Please _____ two seats near the front.
Etymology
From Old French reserver, from Latin reservare, "to keep back, retain".
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for reserve
See all rhymes for reserve →Frequently asked questions
What does “reserve” mean?
The word “reserve” means to book or set something aside in advance for later use. In plain terms, to hold something back for later, or the thing being held back — money, land, feelings, or a spot in a queue.
How do you pronounce “reserve”?
“Reserve” is pronounced rih-ZURV (/ɹɪˈzɝv/ in IPA).
How do you use “reserve” in a sentence?
Here is “reserve” used in a sentence: “Please reserve two seats near the front.”
What is another word for “reserve”?
Words with a similar meaning to “reserve” include Territorial Army, TA, TAVR, territorials, terriers and reservists.
What part of speech is “reserve”?
Depending on how it is used, “reserve” can be a verb and a noun.
Where does the word “reserve” come from?
The word “reserve” comes from Latin. From Old French reserver, from Latin reservare, "to keep back, retain".
Is “reserve” a common word?
“Reserve” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “reserve” have?
“Reserve” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: to book or set something aside in advance for later use.
What is the difference between reserve and book?
In the sense of arranging something in advance, 'reserve' and 'book' are almost interchangeable — you can reserve or book a table, a room, or a seat. 'Book' is slightly more common in everyday British English, while 'reserve' can sound a touch more formal and is standard for holding something aside for a particular person.
Does the word reserve have other meanings?
Yes. Besides booking something in advance, to reserve can mean to keep something back for later, as in reserve your energy or reserve judgment. As a noun, a reserve is a supply held for future use or an area of protected land, and 'reserved' can describe a shy, restrained manner.
What is an example of reserve?
You might reserve a table at a restaurant for eight o'clock, reserve two seats at the theatre, or reserve a library book so it is held for you. In each case you are arranging in advance for something to be set aside and kept available for your later use.
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