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meritorious

[ mer-i-tawr-ee-uhs, -tohr- ]
/ ˌmɛr ɪˈtɔr i əs, -ˈtoʊr- /
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adjective
deserving praise, reward, esteem, etc.; praiseworthy: to receive a gift for meritorious service.
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Origin of meritorious

First recorded in 1375–1425; late Middle English, from Latin meritōrius “earning money, for hire, on hire,” from meritus, past participle of merēre, merērī “to receive one's share, be entitled to, deserve, merit.” See merit, -ory1, -ous

OTHER WORDS FROM meritorious

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH meritorious

meritorious , meretricious
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use meritorious in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for meritorious

meritorious
/ (ˌmɛrɪˈtɔːrɪəs) /

adjective
praiseworthy; showing merit

Derived forms of meritorious

meritoriously, adverbmeritoriousness, noun

Word Origin for meritorious

C15: from Latin meritōrius earning money
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
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