deserve
[ dih-zurv ]
/ dɪˈzɜrv /
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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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The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
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 pea, desert rat, desert rock, desert soil, desert varnish, deserve, deserved, deservedly, deserving, desex, desexualize
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
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
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