Entry Word: serve

Function: verb

Meaning: 1 to be a servant for <he served his master faithfully for twenty years>

Synonyms slave (for), work (for)

Phrases wait on, wait upon

2 to be enough <they made the pasta serve for eight guests>

Synonyms do, suffice

Related Words answer, suit; assuage, content, quench, sate, satiate, satisfy

3 to be fitting or proper <that tea set will serve for the dinner> — see do 1
4 to behave toward in a stated way <my parents served me well in preparing me for life> — see treat 1
5 to have a certain purpose <the example served to teach everyone a lesson> — see function
6 to provide with something useful or desirable <an excellent college served her in terms of getting a good education> — see benefit