deserve
[ dih-zurv ]
/ dɪˈzɜrv /
verb (used with object), de·served, de·serv·ing.
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.
verb (used without object), de·served, de·serv·ing.
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.
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Origin of deserve
OTHER WORDS FROM deserve
de·serv·er, nounpre·de·serve, verb (used with object), pre·de·served, pre·de·serv·ing.Words nearby deserve
desert varnish, deserted, deserticolous, desertification, desertion, deserve, deserved, deservedly, deserving, desex, desexualize
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Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for deserve
British Dictionary definitions for deserve
deserve
/ (dɪˈzɜːv) /
verb
(tr) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit
(intr foll by of) obsolete to be worthy
Derived forms of deserve
deserved, adjectivedeservedness (dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs), noundeserver, nounWord Origin for deserve
C13: from Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre to serve devotedly, from de- + servīre to serve
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Idioms and Phrases with deserve
deserve
see one good turn deserves another.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.