Definition and meaning of English word "deserve"
deserve
/dɪˈzɜːrv/
Meaning
VerbTo be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.
How to use
The verb 'deserve' is commonly used in formal and informal contexts to express that someone is entitled to something due to their actions or behavior. A typical context for 'deserve' is in discussions about rewards, punishments, or recognition. One grammatical nuance to note is that 'deserve' is often followed by an infinitive verb or a noun phrase, but not usually by a gerund. For example, 'She deserves to win the award' or 'He deserves a raise.' A common learner mistake is using 'deserve' with a gerund, which is generally incorrect.
🇬🇧 English
deserve
Example
I deserve prize
He deserves respect
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- deserve attention— to deserve attention
- deserve respect— to deserve respect
- deserve a chance— to deserve a chance
More Extended Verbs words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #439 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "deserve" mean?▼
The English word "deserve" means "deserve" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "deserve"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "deserve" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "deserve"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I deserve prize" (which translates as "deserve").
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