How to pronounce subserve
Say it like sub-SERV. Subserve has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SERV).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce subserve. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- sub
- SERV
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Subserve pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- subKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- SERVSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of subserve
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: sub-SURV.
What does subserve mean?
- To be subservient to.
- To serve to promote (an end); to be useful to.
- To assist in carrying out.
Where does subserve come from?
Borrowed from Latin subservire; by surface analysis, sub- + serve.
Questions about saying subserve
How do you pronounce subserve?
Say sub-SERV. The American pronunciation is /səbˈsɚv/. In British English it is /səbˈsɜːv/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in subserve?
Subserve has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (SERV). Broken into parts: sub · SERV.
Is subserve pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /səbˈsɜːv/ (sub-SURV).