deserve
//dɪˈzɜːv//
Forms
- present (v1)
- deserve
- past (v2)
- deserved
- past participle (v3)
- deserved
- present participle
- deserving
- 3rd person singular
- deserves
Definitions
1.To be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.
- John Gay deserved to be a favourite.
- We don't think your article deserves reading.
- After what he did, he deserved to go to prison.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1720
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Uncommon
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Word family
Etymology
From Middle English deserven
From Old French deservir
From Latin dēserviō
From dē- + serviō.