reserve

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   An amount of something kept back so that it can be used later when it is needed.

   Grammar: Often plural for stored supplies: oil reserves, cash reserves; in reserve means held back for later.

   Patterns

   • in reserve
   • reserves of something
   • a reserve of something

   The country keeps large reserves of grain for emergencies.

   She had a small cash reserve to cover repairs.

   Hold some energy in reserve for the final climb.

2. 2verbtransitive

   To arrange for a seat, table, room or item to be kept for you or for a specific person.

   Grammar: Takes an object: reserve a table; the person can follow for: reserve a seat for her.

   Patterns

   • reserve something for someone
   • reserve something in advance

   We reserved a table for six at the restaurant.

   Please reserve two seats on the early flight.

   The library reserved the book for me until Friday.

3. 3verbtransitiveformal

   To keep something for a particular use or person rather than using it for general purposes.

   Grammar: Takes an object and usually for: this entrance is reserved for staff.

   Patterns

   • reserve something for someone
   • reserve the right to do something

   These parking spaces are reserved for visitors.

   The company reserves the right to change the prices.

   She reserves her strongest criticism for bad service.

4. 4noununcountable

   A tendency to hide your feelings and opinions, so that you appear quiet and slow to show warmth.

   Grammar: Not used with an in this sense: he spoke with reserve.

   Patterns

   • with reserve
   • a lack of reserve

   Her reserve made it hard to know what she was thinking.

   He broke through his usual reserve and told a joke.

   The neighbors greeted us with polite reserve.

5. 5nouncountable

   An area of land set aside to protect wildlife, plants or natural features.

   Grammar: Usually combined with a type word: nature reserve, wildlife reserve.

   Patterns

   • a nature reserve
   • a reserve for something

   We saw rare birds at the nature reserve.

   The reserve protects thousands of acres of wetland.

   Rangers patrol the game reserve every day.

6. 6nouncountablesportmilitary

   A player kept ready to replace a member of a team, or a member of the armed forces who can be called into service.

   Grammar: Reserves often means the part-time forces: he served in the reserves.

   Patterns

   • a reserve for someone
   • in the reserves

   The reserve came on in the second half and scored.

   He joined the army reserve after university.

   Several reserves were called up during the flood.

Word forms

Common combinations

oil reserves

The country has the world's largest oil reserves.

reserve a table

I reserved a table by phone.

in reserve

Keep some money in reserve for emergencies.

nature reserve

The nature reserve opens at dawn.

reserve the right

The hotel reserves the right to refuse entry.

cash reserves

The firm's cash reserves covered three months of costs.

Synonyms and how they differ

stockpile

Stockpile is a large store collected on purpose, often of goods, whereas reserve may be any amount held back.

book

Book as a verb is the everyday British choice for reserving a ticket or room, and implies arranging a service.

restraint

Restraint is self-control over actions or feelings, while reserve in this sense is a cool, quiet manner.

preserve

Preserve means to keep something from harm or decay, not just to hold it for later use.

Opposites

Word family

reservation noun

an arrangement to keep something for you, or a doubt

reserved adjective

kept for someone, or quiet and not showing feelings

reservist noun

a member of a military reserve force

reservoir noun

a large natural or artificial lake used for storing water

Commonly confused: reserve or preserve? reserve or reservation?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “reserve”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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