deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

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

a worse punishment than he deserved

deserver noun

Synonyms

• earn

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Recent Examples on the Web

There’s not a question that's a negative experience for a child, and at the same time, all members of the family deserve opportunities for healing. —Ashley Luthern, jsonline.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Keep reading for all the pieces that deserve a spot in your fall travel wardrobe, starting at $29. —Sophie Dodd, Travel + Leisure, 26 Oct. 2025

And after coming back from four goals down, Edvinsson and the Red Wings certainly deserve their credit. —Max Bultman, New York Times, 26 Oct. 2025

Washington and Utah looked impressive last week and deserve to move into the Top 25. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 26 Oct. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deserven, disserven "to be worthy of, attain what one deserves," borrowed from Anglo-French deservir, desservir, deserver "to deserve, merit, earn, be entitled to" (also continental Old & Middle French), going back to Medieval Latin dēservīre "to serve, officiate (at mass), hold land by service, earn, deserve," going back to Latin, "to spend one's time in, devote oneself (to pursuits, interests), be submissive to, comply with," from dē- de- + servīre "to perform duties for (a master) in the capacity of a slave, act in subservience, be at the service of" — more at serve entry 1

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Phrases Containing deserve

• deserve a medal

Rhymes for deserve

• conserve
• manoeuvre
• observe
• preserve
• reserve
• subserve
• curve
• mirv
• nerve
• serve
• swerve
• verve

Kids Definition

deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves another chance