serve
Translation
to provide with food or drink, to work for, to be useful, to start play in sport
Examples
They serve good food here.
They serve good food here.
He served in the army for ten years.
He served in the army for ten years.
This box can serve as a table.
This box can serve as a table.
It's your turn to serve.
It's your turn to serve.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) ((to sb.)) to provide (sb.) with (sth.) They serve good food here.
((in/as sth.)) to work in a particular role or organization He served in the army for ten years.
((as sth.)) to be useful for a particular purpose This box can serve as a table.
((no object)) to start a game in sports It's your turn to serve.
Similar Words
Etymology
From Latin 'servire', meaning 'to be a slave, to serve'. It originally carried a strong sense of duty or bondage.
Memory Tips
Picture a waiter 'serving' a meal in a restaurant. This is the most common and visual meaning to remember.