Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

deserve

/dɪˈzɜːv/

Word Rarity Uncommon

Frequency: Zipf frequency 4.59 in modern English

Syllables
de-serve
IPA
/dɪˈzɜːv/
11
Scrabble Score
7
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

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

Transitive verb

verb

To earn, win.

Obsolete

verb

To reward, to give in return for service.

Obsolete

verb

To serve; to treat; to benefit.

Obsolete

Example Sentences

Etymology

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

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /dɪˈzɜːv/
  • British English: /dɪˈzɜːv/

Usage

Inflected Forms

deserves (present, singular) deserving (participle, present) deserved (participle, past) deserved (past)

Derived Forms

deservant deserveless deserver undeserve undeserver

Phrases

good boys deserve fudge always well-deserved serve someone right

Frequently Paired Words

desert serve someone right receive

Synonyms

merit brook deserve earn garner reap win be worthy of

Antonyms

undeserve

Rhymes With

serve reserve nerve preserve curve observe conserve swerve verve merv irv serv

Questions

How do you pronounce deserve?
The recorded pronunciation is /dɪˈzɜːv/.
What does deserve mean?
To be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.
Where does deserve come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce deserve

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “deserve”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/dɪˈzɜːv/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “deserve”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “deserve” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.