Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of noun serving

2 senses of serving

Sense 1
helping, portion, serving -- (an individual quantity of food or drink taken as part of a meal; "the helpings were all small"; "his portion was larger than hers"; "there's enough for two servings each")
       => small indefinite quantity, small indefinite amount -- (an indefinite quantity that is below average size or magnitude)

Sense 2
service, serving, service of process -- (the act of delivering a writ or summons upon someone; "he accepted service of the subpoena")
       => delivery, bringing -- (the act of delivering or distributing something (as goods or mail); "his reluctant delivery of bad news")

Synonyms/Hypernyms (Ordered by Estimated Frequency) of verb serve

15 senses of serve

Sense 1
serve, function -- (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")
       => suffice, do, answer, serve -- (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")

Sense 2
serve -- (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")
       => work, do work -- (be employed; "Is your husband working again?"; "My wife never worked"; "Do you want to work after the age of 60?"; "She never did any work because she inherited a lot of money"; "She works as a waitress to put herself through college")

Sense 3
serve -- (contribute or conduce to; "The scandal served to increase his popularity")
       => effect, effectuate, set up -- (produce; "The scientists set up a shock wave")

Sense 4
service, serve -- (be used by; as of a utility; "The sewage plant served the neighboring communities"; "The garage served to shelter his horses")
       => function, work, operate, go, run -- (perform as expected when applied; "The washing machine won't go unless it's plugged in"; "Does this old car still run well?"; "This old radio doesn't work anymore")

Sense 5
serve, help -- (help to some food; help with food or drink; "I served him three times, and after that he helped himself")
       => provide, supply, ply, cater -- (give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests")

Sense 6
serve, serve up, dish out, dish up, dish -- (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")
       => provide, supply, ply, cater -- (give what is desired or needed, especially support, food or sustenance; "The hostess provided lunch for all the guests")

Sense 7
serve -- (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")
       => work -- (exert oneself by doing mental or physical work for a purpose or out of necessity; "I will work hard to improve my grades"; "she worked hard for better living conditions for the poor")

Sense 8
serve, serve well -- (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")
       => foster, nurture -- (help develop, help grow; "nurture his talents")

Sense 9
serve, do -- (spend time in prison or in a labor camp; "He did six years for embezzlement")
       => spend, pass -- (pass time in a specific way; "how are you spending your summer vacation?")

Sense 10
serve, attend to, wait on, attend, assist -- (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")
       => help, assist, aid -- (give help or assistance; be of service; "Everyone helped out during the earthquake"; "Can you help me carry this table?"; "She never helps around the house")

Sense 11
serve, process, swear out -- (deliver a warrant or summons to someone; "He was processed by the sheriff")
       => deliver -- (bring to a destination, make a delivery; "our local super market delivers")

Sense 12
suffice, do, answer, serve -- (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")
       => satisfy, fulfill, fulfil, live up to -- (meet the requirements or expectations of)

Sense 13
serve -- (do military service; "She served in Vietnam"; "My sons never served, because they are short-sighted")
       => work, do work -- (be employed; "Is your husband working again?"; "My wife never worked"; "Do you want to work after the age of 60?"; "She never did any work because she inherited a lot of money"; "She works as a waitress to put herself through college")

Sense 14
serve, service -- (mate with; "male animals serve the females for breeding purposes")
       => copulate, mate, pair, couple -- (engage in sexual intercourse; "Birds mate in the Spring")

Sense 15
serve -- (put the ball into play; "It was Agassi's turn to serve")
       => move, go -- (have a turn; make one's move in a game; "Can I go now?")