deserving
[ dih-zur-ving ]
adjective
qualified for or having a claim to reward, assistance, etc., because of one's actions, qualities, or situation: the deserving poor;a deserving applicant.
meriting; worthy: a criminal deserving of a lifetime sentence.
Origin of deserving
1Other words from deserving
- de·serv·ing·ly, adverb
- de·serv·ing·ness, noun
- self-de·serv·ing, adjective
- un·de·serv·ing, adjective
- un·de·serv·ing·ly, adverb
- un·de·serv·ing·ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for deserving
deserving
/ (dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ) /
adjective
(often postpositive and foll by of) worthy, esp of praise or reward
noun
rare a merit or demerit; desert
Derived forms of deserving
- deservingly, adverb
- deservingness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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