deserving

American  

[dih-zur-ving] / dɪˈzɜr vɪŋ /

adjective

1. qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation.

   the deserving poor;

   a deserving applicant.

2. meriting; worthy.

   a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.

---

deserving British  

/ dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ /

adjective

1. worthy, esp of praise or reward

---

noun

1. rare a merit or demerit; desert

Other Word Forms

• deservingly adverb
• deservingness noun
• self-deserving adjective
• undeserving adjective
• undeservingly adverb
• undeservingness noun

Etymology

Origin of deserving

First recorded in 1570–80; deserve + -ing ²

Example Sentences

Players from the lower-ranked teams expressed their keenness to perform, not just to cause an upset but also to prove they are deserving of the greater opportunities they so desperately seek.

From BBC

She also had the power to boost deserving people otherwise overlooked by agencies and designers by vouching for them.

From Salon

It’s up to your parents to decide who the “right” people are and who is deserving of their assets after they pass away.

From MarketWatch

His success in liberating deserving people who would otherwise be rotting away in prison—even if he was motivated only by vanity—suggests he may very well deserve the Nobel.

From The Wall Street Journal

"Parliament members now need to make haste so that they can bring in skilled, honest and deserving candidates to the seats reserved for women in parliament."

From BBC

Related Words

• commendable