Definitions for deserve
dɪˈzɜrvde·serve

Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. deserve, meritverb

   be worthy or deserving

   "You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done"

Wiktionary(2.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. deserveverb

   To be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.

   Etymology: From deservir, from deservire, from de- + servire.

2. deserveverb

   To earn, win.

   Etymology: From deservir, from deservire, from de- + servire.

3. deserveverb

   To reward, to give in return for service.

   Etymology: From deservir, from deservire, from de- + servire.

Webster Dictionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Deserveverb

   to earn by service; to be worthy of (something due, either good or evil); to merit; to be entitled to; as, the laborer deserves his wages; a work of value deserves praise

   Etymology: [OF. deservir, desservir, to merit, L. deservire to serve zealously, be devoted to; de- + servire to serve. See Serve.]

2. Deserveverb

   to serve; to treat; to benefit

   Etymology: [OF. deservir, desservir, to merit, L. deservire to serve zealously, be devoted to; de- + servire to serve. See Serve.]

3. Deserveverb

   to be worthy of recompense; -- usually with ill or with well

   Etymology: [OF. deservir, desservir, to merit, L. deservire to serve zealously, be devoted to; de- + servire to serve. See Serve.]

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary(3.50 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Deserve

   de-zėrv′, v.t. to earn by service: to merit.—v.i. to be worthy of reward.—adj. Deserv′ing, worthy.—n. desert.—advs. Deserv′ingly, Deserv′edly, according to desert: justly. [Fr.,—L. deservīre—de, inten., servīre, to serve.]

Matched Categories

1. • Be

British National Corpus

1. Written Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'deserve' in Written Corpus Frequency: #4748

2. Verbs Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'deserve' in Verbs Frequency: #557

Anagrams for deserve »

1. severed

How to pronounce deserve?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say deserve in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of deserve in Chaldean Numerology is: 3

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of deserve in Pythagorean Numerology is: 6

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

1. John Barrasso:

   The American people deserve transparency from their leaders, energy Secretary Granholm held millions of dollars of investments in an electric bus company, which was then toured by President Biden. She is playing a leading role in the Biden administration’s promotion of electric vehicles.

2. Jaime Gonzalez:

   I’ve been cooking for 30 years and I think I deserve an 'I’m sorry' or an excuse.

3. Rob Smith:

   Nobody is questioning whether people who commit some of the most serious offenses should be held accountable, the question is, do people who are among the most broken, vulnerable and impaired in our society deserve the death penalty.

4. Deodatta V. Shenai-Khatkhate:

   Commitment to Equality underscores your ethical elegance and highest moral values. Those who cannot treat others with equality, respect and dignity, tend to do so because they are morally bankrupt and not advanced in their thinking. Always be nice to people, and treat them with dignity, respect and equality they deserve.

5. Mogib Abdullah:

   People do not really have the courage or means and resources to do it, i think they will just have to live with the realities they have. They are trapped and they will continue to be trapped, until the warring parties acknowledge that Yemenis deserve a better life at peace in their own country.

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