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Added 9 October 2026

deserve

/dɪˈzɜːv/ verb

In Latin: mereō Wiktionary

verb Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about deserve at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

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.
To earn, win.
To reward, to give in return for service.

Origin

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

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

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