Deserve Definition & Meaning

American

British

Idioms

Other Word Forms

Etymology

Examples

Related Words

Synonyms deserve American [dih-zurv] / dɪˈzɜrv /

verb (used with object)

deserved, deserving

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.

   Synonyms: justify, warrant, rate

verb (used without object)

deserved, deserving

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.

deserve British / dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs, dɪˈzɜːv /

verb

1. (tr) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit

2. obsolete to be worthy

"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 deserve Idioms

1. see one good turn deserves another.

Other Word Forms

• deserved adjective
• deservedness noun
• deserver noun
• predeserve verb (used with object)

Etymology

Origin of deserve

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English deserven, from Anglo-French, Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre “to devote oneself to the service of,” equivalent to dē- de- + servīre “to serve” ( serve )

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

"I'm looking after myself because I deserve it and I want to be around for my children for a long time to come."

From BBC

“Californians deserve a fair process, and voters deserve to hear from all qualified voices,” Villaraigosa, who taught public policy at USC for three years after leaving office, said in a statement.

From Los Angeles Times

"Secretary Bessent needs to testify because Congress and the American people deserve immediate answers," the lawmakers said.

From Barron's

“When I take the Costco card out of my wallet, it makes me feel very important in a way I didn’t deserve,” she said.

From MarketWatch

But the impression driving an alleged late-season vibe shift among voters is that the movie deserves better.

From Salon

Related Words

• earn
• gain
• get
• justify
• merit
• warrant
• win

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.