deserve

verb

de·​serve di-ˈzərv 

deserved; deserving

transitive verb

: to be worthy of : merit

deserves a medal

doesn't deserve a second chance

The idea deserves consideration.

They deserve to be punished.

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 of deserve

• earn

Examples of deserve in a Sentence

the team really deserved that victory after the way they played

Recent Examples on the Web

But not everyone is convinced the holiday drink deserves the hype. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Fanzone/fanfest/fanmeile Forgive a quick detour over to Germany, but this concept deserves special recognition here because ‘fanmeile’ — fan mile — was literally named the German word of the year for 2006. —Michael Cox, New York Times, 14 Dec. 2025

This old-fashioned recipe deserves a comeback this winter. —Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 13 Dec. 2025

For the 60-year-old supermodel, pets deserve as much holiday cheer as people. —Clara McMahon, PEOPLE, 12 Dec. 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