deserve

de·serve

verb \di-ˈzərv\

de·servedde·serv·ing

Definition of DESERVE

transitive verb

: to be worthy of : merit <deserves another chance>

intransitive verb

: to be worthy, fit, or suitable for some reward or requital <have become recognized as they deserve — T. S. Eliot>

— de·serv·er noun

Examples of DESERVE

1. <the team really deserved that victory after the way they played>

Origin of DESERVE

Middle English, from Anglo-French deservir, from Latin deservire to devote oneself to, from de- + servire to serve

First Known Use: 13th century

Related to DESERVE

Synonyms: earn, merit, rate

Related Words: entitle, qualify

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Rhymes with DESERVE

bell curve, conserve, disserve, french curve, hors d'oeuvre, incurve, observe, preserve, recurve, reserve, self-serve, sine curve, skew curve, subserve, unnerve