definitions

deserve

[ dih-zurv ]
/ dɪˈzɜrv /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR deserve ON THESAURUS.COM

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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RELATED WORDS

earn, get, win, merit, gain, warrant, justify, rate, procure, demand

Nearby words

deserted, deserter, deserticolous, desertification, desertion, deserve, deserved, deservedly, deserving, desex, desexualize

Origin of deserve

1250–1300; Middle English deserven < Anglo-French, Old French deservir, Latin dēservīre to devote oneself to the service of, equivalent to dē- de- + servīre to serve
Related formsde·serv·er, nounpre·de·serve, verb (used with object), pre·de·served, pre·de·serv·ing.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples 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 Formsdeserved, adjectivedeservedness (dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs), noundeserver, noun

Word 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for deserve

deserve

v.

early 13c., from Old French deservir (Modern French desservir) "deserve, be worthy of, earn, merit," from Latin deservire "serve well," from de- "completely" (see de-) + servire "to serve" (see serve). From "be entitled to because of good service" (a sense found in Late Latin), meaning generalized c.1300 to "be worthy of." Related: Deserved; deserving.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

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.