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

desert varnish, deserted, 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 forms

de·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 Forms

deserved, 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

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.