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- DictionaryDe·serve/dəˈzərv/
verb
- 1. do something or have or show qualities worthy of (reward or punishment): "the referee deserves a pat on the back for his bravery"
to have earned something or be given something because of your actions or qualities: [ T ] These charities deserve your support. [ + to infinitive ] The American people deserve to know what went wrong. [ T ] I hope those crooks get what they deserve (= receive a punishment that suits their crime).
Check pronunciation: deserve. Definition of deserve verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
Deserve is used in many ways, but it always carries a sense of balance or justice. If someone receives an award for their work, it means they deserve praise and attention. If you deserve a day off, it means you've been working hard and have earned a vacation.
5 days ago · 1. to merit, be qualified for, or have a claim to (reward, assistance, punishment, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or situation. to deserve exile. to deserve charity. a theory that deserves consideration. intransitive verb.
B1. If you deserve something good or bad, it should happen to you because of the way you have behaved: The school deserves praise for the way it has raised standards. [ + to do sth ] He deserves to be locked up for life. Fewer examples. Their team certainly deserved to win. She deserves another chance. She deserves to be punished.
verb (used with object), de·served, de·serv·ing. to merit, be qualified for, or have a claim to (reward, assistance, punishment, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or situation: to deserve exile; to deserve charity; a theory that deserves consideration. verb (used without object), de·served, de·serv·ing.
1. to merit, qualify for, or have a claim to (reward, punishment, aid, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or circumstances: to deserve a pay raise; to deserve exile. 2. to be worthy of, qualified for, or have a claim to reward, punishment, etc.: an idea deserving of study. de•serv′er, n.
