Phrase guide

attend to

verb · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

verb

Meaning 1

To serve; to satisfy someone's needs as a servant would; to wait on.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: service, aid, attend, attend to, await, bestand, bestead, dance attendance, do, do for, serve, stay, tend, wait, wait on, wait upon

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To diligently work on; to pay attention to.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • You should attend to your studies if you plan to succeed in the exams.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: heed, attend, clock, consider, give heed, let in on, mark, mind, notice, pass, pay attention, pay heed, pick up what someone is putting down, privy, regard, take heed, take note, take notice

Antonyms: none provided

3

verb

Meaning 3

get down to; pay attention to; take seriously

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • Attend to your duties, please

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: take to heart

Antonyms: neglect

Broader terms: mind, bear in mind

4

verb

Meaning 4

work for or be a servant to

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • May I serve you?
  • She attends the old lady in the wheelchair
  • Can you wait on our table, please?
  • Is a salesperson assisting you?
  • The minister served the King for many years

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: serve, wait on, attend, assist

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: help, assist, aid

Narrower terms: valet, fag

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

12 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Finnish: palvella — to serve; to satisfy someone's needs as a servant would; to wait on
  • Finnish: huolehtia — to serve; to satisfy someone's needs as a servant would; to wait on
  • Polish: obsługiwać — to serve; to satisfy someone's needs as a servant would; to wait on
  • Polish: obsłużyć — to serve; to satisfy someone's needs as a servant would; to wait on
  • Esperanto: zorgi — to diligently work on; to pay attention to
  • Finnish: paneutua — to diligently work on; to pay attention to
  • Finnish: keskittyä — to diligently work on; to pay attention to
  • Māori: aro — to diligently work on; to pay attention to
  • Polish: załatwiać — to diligently work on; to pay attention to
  • Polish: załatwić — to diligently work on; to pay attention to
  • Polish: zajmować się — to diligently work on; to pay attention to
  • Polish: zająć się — to diligently work on; to pay attention to