Definitions for deserve
dɪˈzɜrvde·serve

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

1. deserve, merit(verb)

   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. deserve(Verb)

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

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

2. deserve(Verb)

   To earn, win.

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

3. deserve(Verb)

   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. Deserve(verb)

   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. Deserve(verb)

   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. Deserve(verb)

   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.]

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

   

   Daniel

   British

   

   Karen

   Australian

   

   Veena

   Indian

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. Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards:

   The admitted and repeated use of racial slurs by a judge who has taken an oath to administer justice fairly and impartially is wrong, period. There is never any circumstance or context in which such derogatory and degrading language is okay, sadly, inequities still exist in society and in our judicial system. District Judge Jessie LeBlanc has compromised District Judge Jessie LeBlanc ability to preside as a judge, and District Judge Jessie LeBlanc has damaged the judiciary. District Judge Jessie LeBlanc should resign. The people of the 23rd Judicial District and our state deserve better.

2. Doris Lessing:

   Some people obtain fame, others deserve it.

3. Mitch Carmichael:

   There is a vital need to reform West Virginia's education system, and I do not believe that any true transformation comes through a pay raise alone, our families deserve competition, choice and flexibility.

4. Alex Stone:

   As Chief Hoover was comparing African-Americans to monkeys, I began to become extremely uncomfortable. I have never been in a work environment where a manager, especially an executive officer, is openly racist. this time Chief Hoover said, 'That's what they deserve,'.

5. J. R. R. Tolkien:

   I don't know half of you half as well as I should like and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve.

Images & Illustrations of deserve

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