de·serve
Pronounced:
/dɪˈzɚv/
Function:
verbInflected forms:
de·serves; de·served; de·serv·ingMeaning:
[+ obj] —used to say that someone or something should or should not have or be given something ▪ She deserves another chance. ▪ He doesn't deserve the award. ▪ Every defendant deserves a fair trial. ▪ The newspaper deserves a lot of credit for calling attention to the problem. ▪ I think the idea deserves [=merits] consideration. ▪ The story deserves telling. [=the story should be told; the story is important enough to tell] ▪ What did I do to deserve this kind of harsh treatment? [=you should not treat me this way] ▪ She believes that people eventually get what they deserve. ▪ He deserves a medal for coming up with a solution so quickly. [=he did something very good and impressive by coming up with a solution so quickly] —often followed by to + verb ▪ Anyone who will not use a map deserves to get lost. ▪ They deserve to be punished. ▪ He deserves to win.
—deserved /dɪˈzɚvd/ adjective ▪ a well-deserved vacation/break ▪ a deserved win/victory/reputation ▪ The award/criticism was not deserved.
—de·serv·ed·ly /dɪˈzɚvədli/ adverb ▪ She was deservedly praised for her generosity. ▪ He has been accused of being selfish, and deservedly so. [=he deserves to be called selfish; it is reasonable to call him selfish because of his behavior]