Etymology Map
Back to all words

Serve

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means to perform duties for; to present food

Where does the word "serve" come from? It comes from Latin servire, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
servire
Latin · ancient
"to be a slave, serve"
from 'servus', slave
2
Stage 2 of 3
servir
Old French · medieval
"to serve"
the root of 'servant', 'service' and 'sergeant'
3
Stage 3 of 3
serve
English · 1200s
"to work for"
tennis 'serve' dates from the 1500s
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Serve’s story begins in Latin: servire meant “to be a slave, serve.” From 'servus', slave. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as servir. The root of 'servant', 'service' and 'sergeant'. It reached English by 1200s as serve. Tennis 'serve' dates from the 1500s. Today, serve means to perform duties for; to present food.