English Explanatory Dictionary

deserve

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.
  2. To earn, win.
  3. To reward, to give in return for service.
  4. To serve; to treat; to benefit.

Pronunciation

/dɪˈzɜːv/ /dɪˈzɝv/ /dəˈzɝv/ en-us-deserve.ogg LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-deserve.wav /dɪˈzɑːv/

Word forms

deserve deserves deserving deserved

Etymology

From Middle English deserven, from Old French deservir, from Latin dēserviō, from dē- + serviō.

Synonyms

merit brook deserve earn garner reap win be worthy of

Antonyms

undeserve

Related words

desert serve someone right receive

Derived words

deservant deserveless deserver good boys deserve fudge always undeserve undeserver well-deserved
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