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service

service

33 4.4
A set of matching plates, cups and cutlery for serving meals
  • noun
  • /ˈsɜrvɪs/
  • UK
translation icon : vajilla
  • Food service.

Examples

  • The food, the service, the wine cellar, the glassware, the plates.

  • No meal service today.

  • Review your protocols for table setting and wine service.

  • Hold that gold-plated service plate.

  • Rebecca enters wearing a sheer silk bathrobe and carrying a tea service on a tray.

    Fiction book (1993)
  • "Antonia nods in the direction of the silver service on the polished sideboard."

    Fiction book (1996)
  • Demetrio set down the tea service, straightened, and fastened his greenish gaze on the mistress's son.

    Fiction book (1995)
  • Wedgwood produced an Egyptian tea service whose teapots sported crocodile handles and hieroglyphic borders.

    Academic text (2004)
  • The wedding reception featured an elegant dinner service that included matching plates, glasses, and cutlery.

  • For her birthday, she received a beautiful porcelain tea service adorned with delicate floral patterns.

Synonyms

setting
vsservice
23 3.2

A set of plates, cups, and cutlery for one person

describes a collective matching group for serving meals rather than a single place
place setting
vsservice
11 3.2

A set of plates, glasses, forks, and knives placed for one person at a meal

refers to a full coordinated group meant to be used collectively, not one place
crockery
vsservice
  • UK
6 3.5

Plates, cups, and dishes used for serving or eating food

is about matching table pieces used together regardless of their material
dinnerware
vsservice
5 2.7

Items like plates and bowls for serving and eating food at a meal

stresses that the items form a matching set used together for serving
dinner service
vsservice
5 2.9

A matching set of plates, knives, and sometimes glasses that you use to serve a formal meal

is the general expression for matching items used together to serve meals
tableware
vsservice
2 2.7

Plates, glasses, and cutlery used for serving and eating food at a table

focuses specifically on matching items grouped and used together for serving
dishware
vsservice
  • US
1 2.8

Plates, bowls, and cups used for serving and eating food

emphasizes a coordinated, matching group of items used together at meals
dinner set
vsservice
1 1.3

A matching set of plates, bowls, and cups for serving dinner

is the broader name for matching pieces used together when serving food
table service
vsservice
  • UK
1 3.1

A set of matching dishes and utensils used at the dining table

highlights matching pieces used together rather than simply a complete collection

Idioms

Not working or available to use, often for a short time

Compounds

381 3.4

A United States government group that protects the president and vice president and investigates fake money

Unpaid work to help people in the local area, sometimes required by law or done for charity

Programs that help people who need support

Work for the government to help people

A part of a country's armed forces, like the army or navy

Help the government gives to people, like schools or hospitals

intelligence service
  • Specialized
33 3.0

A group that gathers and studies secret information for a government

A United States government agency that gives weather forecasts and warnings

24 1.1

A service that lets people make and receive calls

lip service
  • Informal
20 4.7

Saying you support something without doing anything to help

civil service
  • Formal
19 3.0

Government workers who run public services, are not in the military or courts, and are usually chosen by exams

A meeting in a church where people pray, sing, and listen to a talk

Part of the economy that provides services instead of making things, like hotels or hospitals

18 3.8

A part of the U.S. government that collects federal taxes and makes sure people follow tax laws

18 3.6

A United States government group that manages national parks, monuments, and protected places

15 4.1

A level where staff do many things for customers, like pumping gas or helping at a hotel

14 4.4

The part of the United States Department of State with diplomats who work in embassies and consulates abroad

wire service
  • Literature
13 3.9

A company that collects news and sends it to newspapers or TV stations

A place where people fill cars with fuel and get small repairs

service elevator
  • Specialized
11 3.4

An elevator that staff use to move things like large boxes between floors

10 1.0

Buses that run regularly on set routes to carry people

A system that sends and delivers letters and packages

service entrance
  • Specialized
10 3.4

An entrance at the back of a building used by staff, for deliveries, or to take out rubbish

A religious meeting where people talk to God and sing songs

A system that lets people make and receive phone calls

A former United States government office that handled immigration and becoming a citizen

A fixed time when citizens must join the armed forces

A business that provides services like event planning or computer work to other companies for a fee

5 3.0

A company that does work for people or other companies for money

The part of a company that helps customers with problems and fixes products

Help or attention from staff that is very good for customers

A matching set of plates, knives, and sometimes glasses that you use to serve a formal meal

A public event where people pray, sing, and listen in a church or temple

5 3.2

A small road that runs next to a main road and gives access to homes and shops

4 3.0

A service that people need for health, safety and daily care, like healthcare or water

4 4.0

A written agreement to fix or care for a product for a set time

A service that gives expert advice to people or companies

4 2.8

A way for customers to pick and pay for items without staff help

3 3.8

A government office that checks and taxes goods entering a country

3 5.8

A United States system that registers men and can require them to join the military

3 2.7

A place on a highway where travelers stop for fuel, food, and toilets

3 3.5

A government agency in the United Kingdom that protects the country from spies and other internal threats

3 3.3

A visit by a technician to fix or check equipment at a customer's place

3 2.7

An extra charge added to a bill to pay for staff help

3 2.4

A set of matching cups, teapot, and dishes used to serve tea

A government agency that delivers letters and packages across the United States

A government service that collects, sorts, and delivers mail across the United States

A high military medal given to United States Army soldiers for very brave actions in battle

An extra amount added to a bill to pay for the staff who served you

2 8.9

Land given to someone in return for serving in a lord's army

People who work at a place doing cleaning, fixing and helping customers

service program
  • Specialized
2 4.2

A piece of software that runs in the background to help other apps or the system

A government group that protects the US president, vice president, their families, visiting leaders, and stops people making fake money

1 1.0

An official system that sends letters and packages between places, often run by the government

A service that helps people stay healthy and get better when sick

Government officials who represent their country abroad, for example ambassadors

A college or university program that gives classes and advice to people who are not regular students

A government group in Iraq that gathers secret information and runs secret operations to protect the country

1 3.5

A door at the back used by workers for deliveries and trash

A website or app that helps people connect and share messages and photos

A person or company that gives expert advice to help people make decisions

1 1.9

A quick help that has very little waiting time

The main agency in Russia that handles security inside the country and spying

The time someone has worked for a company or in a job there

1 2.1

A company that supplies gas to homes and businesses

A US government agency that registers men for possible military service

1 3.2

A person who repairs machines or home appliances

1 8.4

The act of giving legal papers to someone to start a court case

A small, highly trained group of British soldiers who do secret, dangerous missions

A US government agency that protects wild animals, fish, and their habitats

A United States government agency that protects the president, other top officials, and investigates money crimes

A service that sends TV programs to homes through cables

A group that protects children and gives them social help and job training

How Many

table service
  • UK
1 3.1
service
  • UK
33 4.4
place setting
11 3.2
piece
495 1.0

Surface Forms

service singular
services plural

Etymology

Service (tableware) comes from the idea of 'serving' food, from the verb serve and Latin servire 'to serve', so a dinner 'service' is the matching set of plates and dishes used to serve a meal.