DictionaryAI

deserve

verb
Saydi-ZURV/dɪˈzɝv/UK/dɪˈzɜːv/

Formsdeserves, deserving, deserved

4 meanings of deserve

Practice

  1. 1
    verbtransitive
    To be worthy of something good or bad because of what you have done or what you are like.

    Like getting a prize after you win a race.

    You studied so hard that you deserve a good grade.

    She deserves an award for all her volunteer work.

    UsageSay deserve something or deserve to do something. It can be something good or bad.

    Similarmerit, earn, warrant

    Note
  2. 2
    verbobsolete
    To gain or win something by your own effort.
    That gentle Lady, whom I loue and serue, / After long suit and weary seruicis, / Did aske me, how I could her loue deserue, / And how she might be sure, that I would neuer swerue.
    1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, deserve means earn or win her love through his own actions.
    Note
  3. 3
    verbobsolete
    To reward someone, or give them something in return for their service.
    Gramercy saide the kynge / & I lyue sir Lambegus I shal deserue hit / And thenne sir Lambegus armed hym / and rode after as fast as he myghte
    1485, Sir Thomas Malory, Le Morte DarthurHere, deserve means reward someone, pay them back for their help.
    Pray you, lead on. At every house I'll call; / I may command at most. Get weapons, ho! / And raise some special officers of night. / On, good Roderigo: I'll deserve your pains.
    c. 1603, William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”Here, deserve means reward, pay you back for your trouble.
    Note

Less common meaning

  1. 4
    verbobsolete
    To help, treat, or be of use to someone.
    Note

Use it in a sentence

Write your own sentence with deserve, and AI will tell you whether it fits and which meaning you used.

Origin

It comes from Latin, from 'de-' plus 'servio' meaning 'to serve'. It reached English through Old French.

Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 4 facts