Showing results for "deserving"

• present participle of deserve.

deserving

American  

[dih-zur-ving] / dɪˈzɜr vɪŋ /

adjective

1. qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation.

   the deserving poor;

   a deserving applicant.

2. meriting; worthy.

   a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.

---

deserving British  

/ dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ /

adjective

1. worthy, esp of praise or reward

---

noun

1. rare a merit or demerit; desert

Other Word Forms

• deservingness
  noun
• undeservingness
  noun
• self-deserving
  adjective
• undeserving
  adjective
• deservingly
  adverb
• undeservingly
  adverb

Etymology

Origin of deserving

First recorded in 1570–80; deserve + -ing ²

Related Words

• commendable