English Dictionary

Definition of “deserve”

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Word Frequency

Word Frequency of deserves

deserve (dɪˈzɜːv Pronunciation for deserve ) 

Definitions

verb

  1. tr to be entitled to or worthy of; merit
  2. intr foll by of (obsolete) to be worthy

Derived Forms

deˈserved adjective
deservedness (dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs Pronunciation for deservedness )  noun
deˈserver noun

Word Origin

C13: from Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre to serve devotedly, from de- + servīre to serve

Synonyms

View thesaurus entry
= merit, warrant, be entitled to, have a right to, win, rate, earn, justify, be worthy of, have a claim to

Translations for 'deserve'

  • British English: deservePronunciation for deserve If you say that someone deserves something, you mean that they should have it or do it because of their qualities or actions.`He deserved to suffer,' she said angrily.dɪˈzɜːv VERB
  • Arabic: يَسْتَحِقُPronunciation for يَسْتَحِقُ
  • Brazilian Portuguese: merecerPronunciation for merecer
  • Chinese: 应得Pronunciation for 应得
  • Croatian: zaslužitiPronunciation for zaslužiti
  • Czech: zasloužit (si)Pronunciation for zasloužit (si) zasluhovat (si)
  • Danish: fortjenePronunciation for fortjene
  • Dutch: verdienenPronunciation for verdienen
  • European Spanish: merecerPronunciation for merecer
  • Finnish: ansaitaPronunciation for ansaitaolla jonkin arvoinen
  • French: mériterPronunciation for mériter
  • German: verdienenPronunciation for verdienenwürdig sein
  • Greek: δικαιούμαιPronunciation for δικαιούμαι
  • Italian: meritarePronunciation for meritare
  • Japanese: ･･･に値するPronunciation for ･･･に値する
  • Korean: 받을 만하다Pronunciation for 받을 만하다
  • Norwegian: fortjenePronunciation for fortjene
  • Polish: zasłużyćPronunciation for zasłużyć zasługiwać
  • Portuguese: merecerPronunciation for merecer
  • Romanian: a merita
  • Russian: заслуживатьPronunciation for заслуживать
  • Spanish: merecersePronunciation for merecerse
  • Swedish: förtjänaPronunciation for förtjäna
  • Thai: สมควรได้รับPronunciation for สมควรได้รับ
  • Turkish: hak etmekPronunciation for hak etmek
  • Ukrainian: заслуговувати заслужити
  • Vietnamese: xứng đángPronunciation for xứng đáng

Example Sentences Including 'deserve'

Both sets of players deserve congratulations for serving decent fare.
Irish Times (2002)
But maybe he'd felt as if he'd been living a life he didn't deserve.
Stuart Harrison LOST SUMMER (2002)
Extravagant claims have inevitably been made on both sides and they deserve to be considered fully.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
He's a savage, unfeeling monster who doesn't deserve to breathe!
Jennifer Fallon TREASON KEEP (2001)
He's sending a message out - if you mess with people's heads directly, you deserve to die.
Val McDermid THE LAST TEMPTATION (2002)
In order to stay motivated and look forward to achieving your next goal, you deserve a little celebration.
Sally Gunnell, Kathryn Leigh BE YOUR BEST: How Anyone can become Fit, Healthy and Confident (2002)
Meanwhile, the 60 lowest-scoring pilots receive less recognition than they deserve.
New Scientist (2003)
There are a couple of assumptions which have been floating around for the past week which deserve to be challenged.
Glasgow Herald (2001)
Three other wines in the release deserve special mention, all from France.
Globe and Mail (2003)

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