deserve

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   be worthy or deserving

   You deserve a promotion after all the hard work you have done

2. 2
   verb

   To be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.

   After playing so well, the team really deserved their win.

3. 3
   verb

   To earn, win.

   That gentle Lady, whom I loue and serue, / After long suit and weary seruicis, / Did aske me, how I could her loue deserue, / And how she might be sure, that I would neuer swerue.

4. 4
   verb

   To reward, to give in return for service.

   Gramercy saide the kynge / & I lyue sir Lambegus I shal deserue hit / And thenne sir Lambegus armed hym / and rode after as fast as he myghte

5. 5
   verb

   To serve; to treat; to benefit.

   c. 1619–22, Philip Massinger and John Fletcher, A Very Woman A man that hath / So well deserved me.

Etymology

From Middle English deserven, from Old French deservir, from Latin dēserviō, from dē- + serviō.