deservede‧serve /dɪˈzɜːv $ -ɜːrv/ ●●● S3 W3 verb [transitive] 
What have I done to deserve this?deserve to do something We didn’t deserve to win.richly/fully/thoroughly etc deserve something 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.GRAMMAR: Using the progressiveDeserve is not used in the progressive. You say: · She deserves a prize. ✗Don’t say: She is deserving a prize.Grammar guide ‒ VERBS2deserve consideration/attention etc if a suggestion, idea, or plan deserves consideration, attention etc, it is good enough to be considered, paid attention to etc SYN merit: This proposal deserves serious consideration.3somebody deserves a medal spoken used to say that you admire the way someone dealt with a situation or problemdeserve for You deserve a medal for putting up with Ian’s constant demands.COLLOCATIONSnounsdeserve a rest/break/holiday etc· Once the students have done their exams they deserve a break.deserve a chance· Everybody deserves a second chance.deserve respect· Our police officers deserve our respect.deserve credit/praise· The team played really well and they deserve credit for it.deserve support· This is a splendid proposal which deserves our support.deserve recognition (=public respect and thanks)· The teaching profession deserves more recognition.deserve better (also deserve a better deal) (=deserve to be treated better or to be in a better situation)· They treated him badly at work and I thought he deserved better.deserve a (special) mention (=used especially in speeches to mention someone's good work or actions)· Richard deserves a special mention for all his hard work on this project.deserve a place· You need top grades to deserve a place at the best universities.deserve punishment· If you commit a crime, you have deserved punishment.adverbsthoroughly/fully deserve something· He didn't work so he thoroughly deserved his poor marks.richly deserve something (=greatly deserve something good that happens)· Her success was richly deserved.well deserved· The restaurant has a well deserved reputation for excellent fish.phrasesget what you deserve (=experience something bad after you have behaved badly)· I like films where the bad guys get what they deserve.deserve all/everything you get (=deserve any bad things that happen to you)· She's behaved really stupidly and she deserves all she gets.
WORD ORIGINdeserve
Origin:
1200-1300 Old French, Latin deservire ‘to serve very keenly’, from servire ‘to serve’VERB TABLE
deserve
| Simple Form | ||
| Present | I, you, we, they | deserve |
| he, she, it | deserves | |
| Past | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | deserved |
| Present perfect | I, you, we, they | have deserved |
| he, she, it | has deserved | |
| Past perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | had deserved |
| Future | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will deserve |
| Future perfect | I, you, he, she, it, we, they | will have deserved |
EXAMPLES FROM OTHER DICTIONARIES
- "You really weren't very nice to her." "Well, she deserved it!"
- Anyone who drives like that deserves to lose their licence.
- He was a bully, and in the end he got what he deserved.
- She feels she deserves an apology after all the cruel things you said about her.
- What had he done to deserve this punishment?
- Why did ministers fail to inform the public of these dangers? The people of Britain deserve answers.
- But Polikar and everyone else deserve more in terms of night-time entertainment than a few evenings every year catching crickets.
- Shrubs and trees deserve a look after a heavy snow.
- The fourteen-year-old Gertrude was appointed as the abbess and proved herself deserving of the title.
- They at least deserve our patience and understanding.
- Yggdrasil composed an exquisite sonnet that deserved to live for centuries, but kept it to itself.
- You deserve more than a medal.
Longman Language Activatorto deserve something good
if you deserve something, it is right that you should have it, because you have worked hard, done something well etc: · Well done. I think we all deserve a drink after that.· Jill was awarded first prize, and she thoroughly deserved it.· After all that hard work, you deserve a rest.deserve to do something: · The team have trained hard and they deserve to do well.· Chang played better than Sampras, and he deserved to win.deserve a medal (=used humorously about someone who has worked very hard or done something very difficult): · Anyone who can work with that man deserves a medal.
a well-deserved or well-earned rest, win, drink etc is one that you deserve to have, because you have worked hard: · The game ended in a well-deserved victory for the German team.· At 9 o'clock, she settled down for a well-earned rest.
to deserve something such as reward, success, or someone's respect etc because you have worked very hard or done something impressive: · I think Paul should get first prize - he's certainly earned it.· Let's have a break now - we've definitely earned it.
to deserve something bad if you think that someone deserves something bad that happens to them, you think it is fair that it happens because they have done something wrong or stupid: deserve to do something: · Anyone who drives like that deserves to lose their licence.deserve it (=deserve the bad things that happen): · "You really weren't very nice to her." "Well, she deserved it!"get what you deserve (=when something bad happens to you and you deserve it): · He was a bully, and in the end he got what he deserved.
spoken use this to say you think someone deserves something bad that happens to them because they have been unkind or done something stupid: serve sb right for: · "I feel terrible." "Serves you right for drinking so much last night."it serves somebody right: · It'd serve him right if Jo walked out on him.
especially spoken use this when you think someone deserves a punishment or bad experience, because it is a result of their own actions: · "Do you feel sorry for him?'' "No, he shouldn't have hit that guy -- he got what he deserved.''
spoken say this when something bad happens to someone and you think they deserve it because their behaviour made it very likely to happen: · Anyone who invites a complete stranger into their house is asking for it.
spoken use this to say you think someone deserves something bad that happens to them, and this is what you expected to happen: · I don't feel sorry for her at all. She had it coming.had it coming to you/her etc: · "Terry's very upset about his wife leaving him." "Well he's had it coming to him for years."
to finally get the punishment or something bad that you deserve because of the way you have behaved: · The evil Mr Grove gets his comeuppance at the end of the story.· She's callous and snobbish and it's time she got her comeuppance.
to finally get the punishment you deserve, especially after having avoided it for a long time: · Tobin finally got his just deserts, and was sentenced to 8 years' imprisonment.· This is a movie in which everyone gets their just deserts in the end.
to deserve an explanation/answer/apology etc also be owed: deserve/be owed an explanation/apology/answer use this to say that someone should have an explanation etc, especially from someone who does not want to explain or apologize: · She feels she deserves an apology after all the cruel things you said about her.· Why didn't you turn up for the meeting? I think I'm at least owed some kind of explanation.· Why did ministers fail to inform the public of these dangers? The people of Britain deserve answers.
to deserve attention if a suggestion, idea, or plan deserves or merits consideration, attention etc, it is good enough to be considered or examined in more detail: · Neal's book explores some interesting ideas which deserve attention.· This is a complex problem, that deserves closer consideration.· It's an interesting idea and it certainly merits another look.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRYnouns They deserve to be punished for putting passengers at risk.
· Once the students have done their exams they deserve a break.
· Everybody deserves a second chance.
· Our police officers deserve our respect.
· The team played really well and they deserve credit for it.
· This is a splendid proposal which deserves our support.
(=public respect and thanks)· The teaching profession deserves more recognition.
(also deserve a better deal) (=deserve to be treated better or to be in a better situation)· They treated him badly at work and I thought he deserved better.
(=used especially in speeches to mention someone's good work or actions)· Richard deserves a special mention for all his hard work on this project.
· You need top grades to deserve a place at the best universities.
· If you commit a crime, you have deserved punishment.
adverbs· He didn't work so he thoroughly deserved his poor marks.
(=greatly deserve something good that happens)· Her success was richly deserved.
· The restaurant has a well deserved reputation for excellent fish.
phrases (=experience something bad after you have behaved badly)· I like films where the bad guys get what they deserve.
(=deserve any bad things that happen to you)· She's behaved really stupidly and she deserves all she gets.
COLLOCATIONS FROM OTHER ENTRIES· Every kid deserves a chance in life.
(also be worthy of consideration)· He made a number of proposals that deserve consideration.
· She treated these accusations with the contempt they deserved.
· The village was large enough to merit a mention in the 11th century Domesday Book.
· She deserves praise for all the charity work she does.
They deserve to be punished for putting passengers at risk.· They deserve recognition for the tremendous job they are doing.
(=have earned it)· France deserves its reputation for good food.
· Ronaldo’s performances earned him a deserved reputation as a terrific footballer.
· Nurses deserve our respect and admiration.
· I think we deserve a rest after all that hard work.
(=a rest after working hard)· Our players are taking a well-earned rest before the start of the new season.
· The team have worked really hard and deserve some reward.
· He doesn't deserve any sympathy - it's his own fault.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADVERB· Surely they deserve better than this.· I do remember thinking he deserved better.· Surely he deserves better of me than to gaze at him with my policeman's eyes.· Most of the time, though I knew she deserved better, I went ahead and sent them anyway.· They're worth watching and they deserve better than they're getting, but they've got to sharpen up in front of goal.· I figured he deserved better from Ryan, and said so.· He thought she deserved better than that after all her troubles.
· And the underdogs fully deserved their win over the Galway men.· He had overcome the rivalry of his son and felt that he fully deserved the expensive lifestyle he enjoyed with Mary.· Those responsible for bringing the Imperial War Museum to Hartlepool fully deserve the congratulations of the town.· The combination of coal mining and iron making produced a world which fully deserved its name.
· Who really deserve the bomb on them?· Plus, I really deserve it.· It really deserves a more romantic name, Plockton meaning the town on the headland.· Is it paternalistic approval bestowed whether it is really deserved or not, or acknowledgement of output targets that are routinely reached.· I don't really deserve this sort of thing, he thought.· She really deserved them but she never got them.· Senior civil servants somehow find time from the burdens of office to sit around deliberating over who really deserves what.
· The Conference outfit richly deserved their win after twice taking the lead through Richie Mitchell.· The boos were unmistakable, unending and richly deserved.· Nobody could say it was anything but richly deserved.· The national media made her a heroine, status richly deserved, and the sympathy grew even more.· Oh, Charles dear, this is an honour you so richly deserve.· Some richly deserved to be abandoned.· It must be heartening for the company to enjoy such royal favour; they richly deserve it.
· Pears, 30, has been a key figure in Boro's hectic season and thoroughly deserves his call-up.· They persevered and thoroughly deserved their lead on the half hour.· At under £100, it represents excellent value for money and wins a thoroughly deserved Value Award.· Carrick was superbly backed up by paceman Mark Robinson, who thoroughly deserved his best figures for Yorkshire of three for 34.· Michael thoroughly deserved the championship, just as he's deserved it every year since he last won it in 1995.
· I know I've lost my chance of happiness, and I deserve to.· On yesterday's anaemic display they didn't deserve to as Collegians dominated throughout and scored five tries.
· Her rapid rise to the top is well deserved and she does not suffer from having political labels stuck on her.· Collectively these entities may well deserve public suspicion.· After the hard autumn fighting in the Champagne the rest was felt to be well deserved.· AirTouch said the options are well deserved.· It matters only that it is a tribute well deserved and well located.· I think it's well deserved.· The Kendler has a well deserved reputation locally for its food.· It turns out, however, the praise coming Bayless' way is well deserved.
NOUN· It is good to see ageism given the attention it deserves.· He wobbles back and forth between the two, giving neither the attention it deserves.· Another important field that will not receive the attention it deserves in this book is the whole area of music.· As his most recently departed boyfriend I thought he would at last give me the attention I deserved.· Children with special needs or special abilities will receive the extra attention they deserve.· But it rarely gets the status or the attention it deserves.· The leisured classes have had more attention than they deserve.· In a recent examination of the issue that has not gotten the attention it deserves, Democratic Sen.
· Don't you deserve a break from the stress and the strife?· And now she deserved a coffee break.· Brilliant Stefan deserves a break I like to read all the reader's letters in the magazine.
· I know you must deserve this chance.· He deserves a chance to prove that he is ready to win on the major-league level.· Drugs users don't deserve a second chance.· She said the mayor named him to the Disability Council because he believed a person deserved a chance to rehabilitate himself.· But surely he deserves his chance in his association trial, never mind the full association trial.· When it came to laboratory technique and perseverance, Stafford was absolutely tops, and to that extent deserved this chance.· Today's citizens deserve the chance to speak radically on how they want to be governed locally today.· But he thought that every boy deserved a second chance.
· One academic point in Ghosh deserves consideration.· Children who never became penal inmates surely deserve equal consideration.· And what is theoretically important and testable deserves a scientist's consideration, Events then moved quickly.· Those individuals fleeing persecution, however, deserve special consideration.· As such, their histories deserve special consideration and raise further questions.· And immigration is still refusing to see that this man deserves consideration for his sacrifice.· However, the minority views deserve serious consideration.· It is for this reason among others that current literature should deserve your most careful consideration.
· It's time to stop supporting Linfield, John, and give the other clubs the credit they deserve.· It is my belief that the Mallion lines do not receive the credit they deserve.· As a result of this foolish ambivalence the Government is in danger of wasting the credit it deserves for the minimum wage.
· You deserve more than a medal.· She deserved a medal for even recognizing his existence.· Good luck, Mr Greer, you deserve more than a medal.· Among the many other things she deserved, Cynthia Coppersmith deserved a medal.· His dad deserves a medal for brushing aside officials to reach his injured son.· It takes a lot of work and Sheree deserves a medal.· If ever a chimp deserved a medal it was Ham.
· The treatment of acute retention of urine occurring in a primary herpetic attack in the female deserves a brief mention.· Two of these behaviors deserve special mention.· About.com deserves a special mention, because unlike most directories, is a topics are and by expert guides.· Wacko, recently moved to Los Feliz, deserves a mention as most unusual store as well.· One other case deserves special mention.· Two other specialist texts deserve special mention.· Bryn Terfel also deserves special mention as a stunning bass who is actually in tune, and whose words are clearly understood.· Before we leave his cricket career two particular stories deserve a mention.
· A climb to savour, Moyer's Buttress deserves its place as a classic gritstone E1.· Whoever invented the golf cart deserves an honored place in the annals of sport.· Store cards Store cards do not deserve their place in your wallet as they carry punitive rates of interest.· Does a team that has to exert itself to get to 38-44 deserve a place at the big table?· In Search of Excellence, in my judgment, deserves a place beside the two or three best management books ever written.· But Marc-Andr Hamelin's new recital unquestionably deserves a place right alongside them.· She believes that it was right to leave in order that somebody more deserving could receive her place.
· They deserve praise, at any rate, for what they have not done.· Mintzberg deserves high praise for his perceptiveness in issuing these caveats about the widespread enthusiasm for the adhocracy arrangement.· Down to nine men, our lads deserve the highest praise for a 3-3 draw.· Although his verbal craftsmanship deserves high praise, we do wonder about his motivation.· Yet whatever Benn's shortcomings, he deserves high praise for the service he has performed for recent political history.· And Columbia records deserves praise for state-of-the- art packaging.· Mr Rifkind will deserve warm praise if he can succeed where several incumbents have failed.· But, in one respect at least, our glorious leader deserves rich praise.
· She bit her lip and knew that she deserved such punishment.· After the shooting, they became consumed with the idea that a crime had been committed and deserved punishment.· As such they don't deserve punishment, rather understanding and sympathy.· I could not imagine what she had done to deserve such a punishment, but she did not look ashamed or unhappy.· What had she done to deserve such punishment?· Sally-Anne deserved punishment for forcing him to do that, if for nothing else.· And when we fail to live up to our own high expectations, the more we feel we deserve punishment and blame.· If they behave in a manner that deserves punishment, they are punished.
· Their job does not always receive the recognition which it deserves.· Lawrence, however, feels the team have not won the recognition they deserve.· There was still the bitter disappointment of his failure to win the recognition he deserved.· They do not, perhaps, receive the recognition which they deserve.
· The Charter's commitment to modern, open services will help them to win the respect that good service deserves.· Give girls and women who have succeeded in science the respect they deserve.· A pity the author only got the respect she deserved after her untimely death.· Two wrongs do not make a right, and Clinton, in many respects, deserves what he is currently getting.· As long as I've known you, you always give the subject of clothes the deep respect it deserves!· Dude, you better hope the one thing you never get is the respect you deserve.· Perhaps Bobs will finally get the respect they deserve.· Perhaps the adjusted format for the Atlanta Games will give this sport the respect it probably deserves.
· It's over now and I deserve a rest.· Richard had been through a lot. l felt he deserved a rest.
· I knew in a deep and fundamental way that I did not deserve elevation or success.· And far from silently resenting the city fat cats, they believe top businessmen deserve success.· Undoubtedly they deserve their success, but you can't help wondering how on earth they did it.· This game from Infogrames deserves much success and I envy the talents of the programmers concerned.
· These are our most vulnerable children, and they deserve our best support and protection.· The dead deserve the support of clergy.· Did Mr Djindjic truly believe that Mr Karadzic deserved his support, or was the gesture utterly cynical?· His views deserve the support of key farming organisations.· The Bill does exactly that, and I believe that it deserves the support of the House.· Carrick deserve better support than they're getting at present.· The purpose of the order is of high importance and it deserves the support of the House.· It deserves the wholehearted support of the entire House.
· I deserved better treatment than that.· Poor bantam building block, what had you ever done since the beginning of time and space to deserve such shabby treatment?· It is a complex and detailed process, which deserves such treatment.· I do not think I deserved this sort of treatment.· What has the widely admired Basque artist done to deserve such treatment?· This loyal player, who turned down a contract with Ipswich Town to stay in the Province, deserves better treatment.· What had the trade done to deserve such harsh treatment?· This meeting is sponsored entirely by the Sean Graham organisation and deserves better treatment from the Turf Club.
· United deserved the win, but they nearly lost it in the closing minutes.· And the underdogs fully deserved their win over the Galway men.· The Conference outfit richly deserved their win after twice taking the lead through Richie Mitchell.· She's the sort of filly who deserves a big race win for she has been knocking on the door all season.· Celtic deserved their win, achieved through decisive goals from the Nicholas-Creaney partnership.
VERB· They believe refugee children deserve a season of peace and goodwill.· The prime minister also believed McCord deserved forgiveness for a youthful mistake.· Where did those beliefs come from?-How much do I believe that I deserve to have work I love?· Did Mr Djindjic truly believe that Mr Karadzic deserved his support, or was the gesture utterly cynical?· She said the mayor named him to the Disability Council because he believed a person deserved a chance to rehabilitate himself.· And far from silently resenting the city fat cats, they believe top businessmen deserve success.· Although I am not in complete agreement with all of Lacanian theory, I believe it deserves serious attention.
· He was now fifty, and he felt she deserved more from her marriage.· When Morris looks at Catherine he sees her inheritance, which he feels he deserves.· We felt we deserved the advantage.· If you feel you deserve a raise, then make a case for one.· After the hard autumn fighting in the Champagne the rest was felt to be well deserved.· Richard had been through a lot. l felt he deserved a rest.· They might reasonably feel they deserve to be rewarded.· I said, feeling that one impertinence deserved another.
· I suppose that it's only when you have the financial means that you get the treatment everyone deserves.· Disney gets the flak it deserves.· Last night you got what you wanted and I got what I deserved.· Does a team that has to exert itself to get to 38-44 deserve a place at the big table?· Governments, said Shaw, get the people they deserve.· I am glad she is finally getting what she deserves.· We got what we deserved - nothing.· Perhaps Bobs will finally get the respect they deserve.
· I think we deserved it because that was one of the finest team performances I've ever been involved with.· I thought we deserved to be in.· Do you not think that the people deserve to know what threatens them on their very doorstep?· Fifty-five percent also thought Clinton deserved a second term.· It's all about an ambitious executive out for revenge when he doesn't win the promotion he thinks he deserves.· And I think we deserve to.· He had my affection and my loyalty, and I thought I deserved his trust.· I think it's well deserved.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRYPHRASES FROM OTHER ENTRIES► one good turn deserves another
1to have earned something by good or bad actions or behaviour: - An informant may, therefore, negotiate with others to convince them that she or he is ill and deserves attention.
- And immigration is still refusing to see that this man deserves consideration for his sacrifice.
- Another clever scheme for massive energy storage deserves consideration.
- On that count, Mr Spivak's original creation deserves attention.
- One academic point in Ghosh deserves consideration.
- The output deserves attention under three heads.
- Two sorts of applications deserve attention.
- If you can sit through all 10 hours of lectures, you deserve a medal.
- His dad deserves a medal for brushing aside officials to reach his injured son.
- It takes a lot of work and Sheree deserves a medal.
- Stewart received a richly deserved ovation from the crowd.
- It must be heartening for the company to enjoy such royal favour; they richly deserve it.
- Nobody could say it was anything but richly deserved.
- Oh, Charles dear, this is an honour you so richly deserve.
- Some richly deserved to be abandoned.
- The boos were unmistakable, unending and richly deserved.
- The Conference outfit richly deserved their win after twice taking the lead through Richie Mitchell.
- The national media made her a heroine, status richly deserved, and the sympathy grew even more.
What have I done to deserve this?deserve to do something We didn’t deserve to win.richly/fully/thoroughly etc deserve something 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.GRAMMAR: Using the progressiveDeserve is not used in the progressive. You say: · She deserves a prize. ✗Don’t say: She is deserving a prize.Grammar guide ‒ VERBS2deserve consideration/attention etc if a suggestion, idea, or plan deserves consideration, attention etc, it is good enough to be considered, paid attention to etc SYN merit: This proposal deserves serious consideration.3somebody deserves a medal spoken used to say that you admire the way someone dealt with a situation or problemdeserve for You deserve a medal for putting up with Ian’s constant demands.COLLOCATIONSnounsdeserve a rest/break/holiday etc· Once the students have done their exams they deserve a break.deserve a chance· Everybody deserves a second chance.deserve respect· Our police officers deserve our respect.deserve credit/praise· The team played really well and they deserve credit for it.deserve support· This is a splendid proposal which deserves our support.deserve recognition (=public respect and thanks)· The teaching profession deserves more recognition.deserve better (also deserve a better deal) (=deserve to be treated better or to be in a better situation)· They treated him badly at work and I thought he deserved better.deserve a (special) mention (=used especially in speeches to mention someone's good work or actions)· Richard deserves a special mention for all his hard work on this project.deserve a place· You need top grades to deserve a place at the best universities.deserve punishment· If you commit a crime, you have deserved punishment.adverbsthoroughly/fully deserve something· He didn't work so he thoroughly deserved his poor marks.richly deserve something (=greatly deserve something good that happens)· Her success was richly deserved.well deserved· The restaurant has a well deserved reputation for excellent fish.phrasesget what you deserve (=experience something bad after you have behaved badly)· I like films where the bad guys get what they deserve.deserve all/everything you get (=deserve any bad things that happen to you)· She's behaved really stupidly and she deserves all she gets.