deserve

American  

[dih-zurv] / dɪˈzɜrv /

verb (used with object)

deserves, present (3rd person singular) deserved, past participle, past deserving present participle

1. to merit, be qualified for, or have a claim to (reward, assistance, punishment, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or situation.

   to deserve exile; to deserve charity; a theory that deserves consideration.

   Synonyms:

   justify, warrant, rate

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verb (used without object)

deserves, present (3rd person singular) deserved, past participle, past deserving present participle

1. to be worthy of, qualified for, or have a claim to reward, punishment, recompense, etc..

   to reward him as he deserves; an idea deserving of study.

deserve British  

/ dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs, dɪˈzɜːv /

verb

1. (tr) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit

2. obsolete to be worthy

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deserve Idioms  

1. see one good turn deserves another.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• deservedness
  noun
• deserver
  noun
• predeserve
  verb (used with object)
• deserved
  adjective

Conjugated Forms

Present

• has deserved
  perfect 3rd person singular
• have deserved
  perfect
• have been deserving
  perfect progressive
• has been deserving
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• are deserving
  progressive
• am deserving
  progressive 1st person singular
• deserving
  participle
• is deserving
  progressive 3rd person singular
• deserves
  singular 3rd person

Past

• had deserved
  perfect
• had been deserving
  perfect progressive
• was deserving
  progressive singular
• were deserving
  progressive plural
• deserved
  participle
• deserved
  simple

Future

• will deserve
  simple
• will have deserved
  perfect
• will have been deserving
  perfect progressive
• will be deserving
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of deserve

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English deserven, from Anglo-French, Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre “to devote oneself to the service of,” equivalent to dē- de- + servīre “to serve” ( see serve)

Explanation

We deserve things based on our actions. For example, many people believe murderers deserve the death penalty. Deserve is used in many ways, but it always carries a sense of balance or justice. If someone receives an award for their work, it means they deserve praise and attention. If you deserve a day off, it means you've been working hard and have earned a vacation. If you threw a book during class, you deserve a punishment of some kind. Many laws — and lots of arguments — are about deciding what different people deserve. It's often hard to tell.

Related Words

• earn
• gain
• get
• justify
• merit
• warrant
• win