/ dɪˈzɜːv; NAmE dɪˈzɜːrv/ verb
(not used in the progressive tenses) if sb/sth deserves sth, it is right that they should have it, because of the way they have behaved or because of what they are :
[ vn ]
You deserve a rest after all that hard work.
The report deserves careful consideration.
One player in particular deserves a mention.
What have I done to deserve this?
[ v to inf ]
They didn't deserve to win.
He deserves to be locked up for ever for what he did.
[also v -ing ]
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IDIOMS
- sb deserves a medal
- get what you deserve | deserve all / everything you get
—more at turn noun
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French deservir , from Latin deservire serve well or zealously.