Dictionary.com
definitions
  • synonyms

deserving

[dih-zur-ving]
See more synonyms for deserving on Thesaurus.com
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.
Show More

Origin of deserving

First recorded in 1570–80; deserve + -ing2
Related formsde·serv·ing·ly, adverbde·serv·ing·ness, nounself-de·serv·ing, adjectiveun·de·serv·ing, adjectiveun·de·serv·ing·ly, adverbun·de·serv·ing·ness, noun

deserve

[dih-zurv]
verb (used with object), de·served, de·serv·ing.
  1. 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.
Show More
verb (used without object), de·served, de·serv·ing.
  1. 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.
Show More

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.

Synonyms

See more synonyms for on Thesaurus.com
1. rate, warrant, justify.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words

commendablefittingadmirabledueestimablelaudableneedypraiseworthyrighteousrightfulthankworthy

Examples from the Web for deserving

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • Rare, indeed, is it to find a deserving peasant without them in France!

    The Roof of France

    Matilda Betham-Edwards

  • And indeed, as I have often said, never was there a young creature so deserving of our love.

    Clarissa, Volume 2 (of 9)

    Samuel Richardson

  • Once they were deserving of our protection; now they even neglect to ask it.

    Old Greek Folk Stories Told Anew

    Josephine Preston Peabody

  • Yes, I gave money to some people who, it seems, were not deserving of it.

  • I hope it is deserving the acceptance of the illustrious Caeri.

    Gomez Arias

    Joaqun Telesforo de Trueba y Coso

British Dictionary definitions for deserving

deserving

adjective
  1. (often postpositive and foll by of) worthy, esp of praise or reward
Show More
noun
  1. rare a merit or demerit; desert
Show More
Derived Formsdeservingly, adverbdeservingness, noun

deserve

verb
  1. (tr) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit
  2. (intr foll by of) obsolete to be worthy
Show More
Derived Formsdeserved, adjectivedeservedness (dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs), noundeserver, noun

Word Origin

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 deserving

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.

Show More
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper

Idioms and Phrases with deserving

deserve

see one good turn deserves another.

Show More
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.