serve vs answer

serve and answer both are nouns.

Word	Noun	Adjective	Verb	Adverb
serve	Yes	No	Yes	No
answer	Yes	No	Yes	No

As verbs, answer is a hypernym of serve; that is, answer is a word with a broader meaning than serve:

Other hypernyms of serve include do, serve, suffice.

As verbs, serve and answer are synonyms defined as:

serve and answer: be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity

Other synonyms of serve include do, suffice.

serve (noun)	answer (noun)
(sports) a stroke that puts the ball in play	a nonverbal reaction
	the speech act of replying to a question
	a statement (either spoken or written) that is made to reply to a question or request or criticism or accusation
	a statement that solves a problem or explains how to solve the problem
	the principal pleading by the defendant in response to plaintiff's complaint; in criminal law it consists of the defendant's plea of `guilty' or `not guilty' (or nolo contendere); in civil law it must contain denials of all allegations in the plaintiff's complaint that the defendant hopes to controvert and it can contain affirmative defenses or counterclaims

serve (verb)	answer (verb)
do duty or hold offices; serve in a specific function	give the correct answer or solution to
put the ball into play	respond to a signal
provide (usually but not necessarily food)	understand the meaning of
help to some food; help with food or drink	react to a stimulus or command
deliver a warrant or summons to someone	react verbally
mate with	give a defence or refutation of (a charge) or in (an argument)
be used by; as of a utility	be satisfactory for; meet the requirements of or serve the purpose of
work for, or be a servant to	match or correspond
devote (part of) one's life or efforts to, as of countries, institutions, or ideas	be liable or accountable
do military service	be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity
spend time in prison or in a labor camp
contribute or conduce to
promote, benefit, or be useful or beneficial to
serve a purpose, role, or function
be sufficient; be adequate, either in quality or quantity