deserve

deserve
de|serve
W3S2 [dıˈzə:v US -ə:rv] v [T]
[Date: 1200-1300; : Old French; Origin: Latin deservire 'to serve very keenly', from servire 'to serve']
1.) to have earned something by good or bad actions or behaviour
▪ What have I done to deserve this?
deserve to do sth
▪ We didn't deserve to win.
richly/fully/thoroughly etc deserve sth
▪ the success he so richly deserves
▪ I'm sorry for the kids. They deserve better (=deserve to be treated in a better way) .
deserve a rest/break/holiday etc
▪ I think we deserve a rest after all that hard work.
▪ Ledley deserves a place in the team.
▪ Paula deserves a special mention for all the help she has given us.
▪ I would never hit anyone, even if they deserved it.
▪ What has he done to deserve this punishment ?
deserve all/everything you get
(=deserve any bad things that happen to you)
▪ He deserves all he gets for being so dishonest.
▪ People who are sent to prison for drunk-driving get what they deserve .
2.) deserve consideration/attention etc
if a suggestion, idea, or plan deserves consideration, attention etc, it is good enough to be considered, paid attention to etc
= ↑merit
▪ This proposal deserves serious consideration.
3.) sb deserves a medal
spoken used to say that you admire the way someone dealt with a situation or problem
somebody deserves a medal for
▪ You deserve a medal for putting up with Ian's constant demands.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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Synonyms:
, ,


Look at other dictionaries:

  • deserve — deserve, merit, earn, rate mean to be or become worthy of something as recompense whether by way of reward or punishment. Deserve implies a just claim which entitles one to something good or evil, usually on the ground of actions done or… …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • Deserve — De*serve (d[ e]*z[ e]rv ), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Deserved}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Deserving}.] [OF. deservir, desservir, to merit, L. deservire to serve zealously, be devoted to; de + servire to serve. See {Serve}.] 1. To earn by service; to be worthy… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • deserve — de*serve (d[ e]*z[ e]rv ), v. i. To be worthy of recompense; usually with ill or with well. [1913 Webster] One man may merit or deserve of another. South. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • deserve — early 13c., from O.Fr. deservir (Mod.Fr. desservir) deserve, be worthy of, earn, merit, from L. deservire serve well, from de completely (see DE (Cf. de )) + servire to serve (see SERVE (Cf. serve)). From be entitled to because of good s …   Etymology dictionary

  • deserve — [di zʉrv′] vt. deserved, deserving [ME deserven < OFr deservir, to deserve < L deservire, to serve diligently < de , intens. + servire, SERVE] to have a right to because of acts or qualities; be worthy of (reward, punishment, etc.);… …   English World dictionary

  • deserve — index earn Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • deserve — [v] be entitled to be given one’s due*, be in line for*, be worthy of, demand, earn, gain, get, get comeuppance*, get what is coming to one*, have it coming*, have the right to, justify, lay claim to, merit, procure, rate, warrant, win; concept… …   New thesaurus

  • deserve — ► VERB ▪ do something or show qualities worthy of (a reward or punishment as appropriate). DERIVATIVES deservedly adverb. ORIGIN Latin deservire serve well or zealously …   English terms dictionary

  • deserve — verb (T) 1 to have earned something by good or bad actions or behaviour: You ve been working all morning I think you deserve a rest. | deserve to do sth: The team deserves to win. | deserve it: Yeah, I hit him but he deserved it. | get what you… …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • deserve */*/ — UK [dɪˈzɜː(r)v] / US [dɪˈzɜrv] verb [transitive] Word forms deserve : present tense I/you/we/they deserve he/she/it deserves present participle deserving past tense deserved past participle deserved 1) if you deserve something, it is right that… …   English dictionary

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