Conserve — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

verb noun /kən-ˈsərv/ (verb) /ˈkän-ˌsərv/ (noun) con·serve

Meaning & Definition of Conserve

Conserve (verb)

  1. to keep in a safe or sound state; especially, to avoid wasteful or destructive use of
  2. to preserve with sugar
  3. to maintain (a quantity) constant during a process of chemical, physical, or evolutionary change

Conserve (noun)

  1. sweetmeat; especially, a candied fruit
  2. preserve; specifically, one prepared from a mixture of fruits

Conserve (verb) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. to avoid the wasteful or destructive use of

    "the need to conserve oil and other finite fossil fuels"

    similar: husband
    related: economize, save, scrimp, skimp, preserve, protect, hoard, lay by, lay up
    opposite: blow, dissipate, fritter (away), lavish, misspend, run through, squander, throw away, waste
    near: clean (out), consume, deplete, drain, exhaust, expend, impoverish, spend, use up

  2. to keep in good condition

    "conserve our national parks so that they may be enjoyed by future generations"

    similar: keep up, maintain, preserve, save
    related: service, support, sustain, care (for), husband, manage, defend, guard, protect, safeguard, screen, shield, cure, fix, heal, remedy, mend, patch, rebuild, reconstruct, rehabilitate, rejuvenate, restore
    near: disregard, ignore, neglect, break, damage, destroy, harm, hurt, impair, injure, ruin, wreck

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for Conserve

The most common words with a similar meaning to Conserve:

husband, keep up, maintain, preserve, save

Antonyms & Opposite Words for Conserve

Words with the opposite meaning of Conserve:

blow, dissipate, fritter (away), lavish, misspend, run through, squander, throw away, waste

Related Words for Conserve

economize, scrimp, skimp, protect, hoard, lay by, lay up, service, support, sustain, care (for), manage, defend, guard, safeguard, screen, shield, cure, fix, heal, remedy, mend, patch, rebuild, reconstruct, rehabilitate, rejuvenate, restore

Near Antonyms of Conserve

clean (out), consume, deplete, drain, exhaust, expend, impoverish, spend, use up, disregard, ignore, neglect, break, damage, destroy, harm, hurt, impair, injure, ruin, wreck

Word Forms of Conserve

Inflections: conserved, conserving

Derived words: conserver (noun)

Origin & Etymology of Conserve

Middle English conserven "to maintain in good condition, preserve, protect, keep," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French conserver "to preserve" (also continental Middle French), borrowed from Latin conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve, keep unchanged," from con- con- + servāre "to watch over, guard, keep, observe (a law, custom), maintain in existence, preserve," probably derivative of an abstract noun *seru̯om or *seru̯ā "observation, guarding," formed from the Indo-European verbal base *ser- "keep watch on, guard" and a nominal suffix *-u̯o- serve:1

First known use: 14th century

Frequently Asked Questions about Conserve

What does "Conserve" mean?

"Conserve" means to keep in a safe or sound state; especially, to avoid wasteful or destructive use of. As an a verb and a noun, it is defined as: to keep in a safe or sound state; especially, to avoid wasteful or destructive use of. It has 2 distinct senses.

What is another word for "Conserve"?

Other words for "Conserve" include husband, keep up, maintain, preserve and save. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "Conserve" you intend.

What are different ways to say "Conserve"?

There are 33 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "Conserve". Common alternatives include husband, keep up, maintain, preserve and save.

What is the opposite of "Conserve"?

Antonyms of "Conserve" include blow, dissipate, fritter (away), lavish, misspend, run through, squander and throw away. Near antonyms include clean (out), consume, deplete and drain.

How do you use "Conserve" in a sentence?

Examples of "Conserve" in a sentence: "the need to conserve oil and other finite fossil fuels"; "conserve our national parks so that they may be enjoyed by future generations".

Is "Conserve" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"Conserve" can be used as a verb and a noun, depending on the context.

How do you pronounce "Conserve"?

"Conserve" is pronounced /kən-ˈsərv/ as a verb and /ˈkän-ˌsərv/ as a noun and divided into syllables as con·serve.

What is the origin of the word "Conserve"?

"Conserve" comes from Middle English conserven "to maintain in good condition, preserve, protect, keep," borrowed from Anglo-French & Latin; Anglo-French conserver "to preserve" (also continental Middle French), borrowed from Latin conservāre "to save or keep from danger, preserve, keep unchanged," from con- con- + servāre "to watch over, guard, keep, observe (a law, custom), maintain in existence, preserve," probably derivative of an abstract noun *seru̯om or *seru̯ā "observation, guarding," formed from the Indo-European verbal base *ser- "keep watch on, guard" and a nominal suffix *-u̯o- serve:1. First known use: 14th century.