deserve

UK: /dɪˈzɜː^rv/ US: /dɪˈzɝv/ ,(di zûrv′)

Inflections of 'deserve' (v): (⇒ conjugate)

deserves

v 3rd person singular

deserving

v pres p

deserved

v past

deserved

v past p

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•serve /dɪˈzɜrv/   v. [ not: be + ~-ing], -served, -serv•ing. 

1. to merit, be worthy of, or have a claim to (reward, etc.) because of actions, qualities, or circumstances: [ ~ + obj]:
   The teachers deserve a pay raise.
   [ ~ + to + verb]:
   A hard worker deserves to succeed.

See -serv-¹.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

de•serve  (di zûrv′), v., -served, -serv•ing. 
v.t. 

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.

v.i. 

2. to be worthy of, qualified for, or have a claim to reward, punishment, recompense, etc.:
   to reward him as he deserves; an idea deserving of study.

• Anglo-French, Old French deservir, Latin dēservīre to devote oneself to the service of, equivalent. to dē- de- + servīre to serve
• Middle English deserven 1250–1300

de•serv′er, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. rate, warrant, justify.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

deserve / dɪˈzɜːv/ verb

1. (transitive) to be entitled to or worthy of; merit
2. (intransitive) followed by of: to be worthy

Etymology: 13th Century: from Old French deservir, from Latin dēservīre to serve devotedly, from de- + servīre to serve

deˈserved adjective

deservedness / dɪˈzɜːvɪdnɪs/ noun