deserve
[ dih-zurv ]
/ dɪˈzɜrv /
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.
Origin of deserve
OTHER WORDS FROM deserve
de·serv·er, noun pre·de·serve, verb (used with object), pre·de·served, pre·de·serv·ing.Words nearby deserve
desert varnish,
deserted,
deserticolous,
desertification,
desertion,
deserve,
deserved,
deservedly,
deserving,
desex,
desexualize
Example sentences 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 of deserve
deserved, adjective deservedness (dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs), noun deserver, nounWord Origin for deserve
C13: from Old French
deservir, from Latin
dēservīre to serve devotedly, from
de- +
servīre to
serve
Idioms and Phrases with deserve
deserve
see one good turn deserves another.