deserve
Americanverb (used with object)
-
deserves,
present (3rd person singular)
-
deserved,
past participle, past
-
deserving
present participle
verb (used without object)
-
deserves,
present (3rd person singular)
-
deserved,
past participle, past
-
deserving
present participle
verb
-
(tr) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit
-
obsolete to be worthy
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Participles
Conjugated Forms
Present
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deservesimple
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deservessimple
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have deservedperfect
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has deservedperfect
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am deservingprogressive
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are deservingprogressive
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is deservingprogressive
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have been deservingperfect progressive
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has been deservingperfect progressive
Past
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deservedsimple
-
had deservedperfect
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was deservingprogressive
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were deservingprogressive
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had been deservingperfect progressive
Future
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.
Vocabulary lists containing deserve
"Macbeth" Vocabulary from Act I
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Schooled
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History is made in PA: Clinton's DNC Acceptance Speech
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
“Gig drivers deserve a seat at the table,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2026
Courts have repeatedly upheld buffer-zone protections for funerals, polling sites and other places where people deserve to be left in peace; a law addressing disruptive behavior at houses of worship is on solid constitutional ground.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
"They deserve transparency, clear communication, and meaningful support. Since day one, I have been in Boyle Heights listening to residents, meeting with families, and making sure their voices guide our response."
From BBC ● Aug. 9, 2026
Confessing she was "certainly not well-versed in politics", Lazkani said that "at this stage, I feel I deserve prayers more than blessings".
From Barron's ● Aug. 7, 2026
“I don’t deserve an answer,” Danny said quietly.
From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova
“I’ve always thought every yard deserves a nice piece of garden art,” Gatwood told The Times.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2026
“Oak Street” has them in abundance, and a giant worm-snake is, by itself, so slimy-creepy-funny that it deserves its own spinoff franchise.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 13, 2026
Hopefully her personal circle gives her the love and support that she deserves during that time.
From Salon ● Aug. 13, 2026
Roberts’ opinion for the court, despite being well-written and legally correct, resists critiquing the original order with the forcefulness this issue deserves.
From Slate ● Aug. 11, 2026
He knows what’s coming and how much he deserves it.
From "Linked" by Gordon Korman
Prosecutors on Friday said he deserved heavy punishment.
From Barron's ● Aug. 14, 2026
The report indicated there was still resistance to giving victims of serious crime the accountability and justice they deserved, she said.
From BBC ● Aug. 12, 2026
Was there a specific moment when it dawned on the “Hacks” team that Jimmy and Kayla deserved more airtime?
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 12, 2026
The records are still there and still sound great, even if they didn’t earn their creators the kind of money and lifestyle that they deserved.
From Salon ● Aug. 10, 2026
Everyone deserved peace in their own house, even a girl who could talk to the dead.
From "Ophie's Ghosts" by Justina Ireland
So I got her frustration, but in the end, a deserving champ prevailed.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
That still leaves five candidates deserving closer study.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 10, 2026
With his exit, they must realize there are others who are more deserving of attention and support.
From Salon ● Jul. 9, 2026
The Dodger stadium event was apparently an annual gathering sponsored by the California Credit Union — and later by an affiliated foundation — to honor deserving new teachers as “Rookies of the Year.”
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 28, 2026
Of all the wishes people had brought him—money, love, revenge—this seemed to him the most poignant and the one most deserving of fulfillment.
From "The Bluest Eye" by Toni Morrison
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
