deserving

1 of 2

noun

de·​serv·​ing di-ˈzər-viŋ 

: desert, merit

reward the proud according to their deservings

—Charles Kingsley

deserving

2 of 2

adjective

1

: having good qualities that deserve praise, support, etc. : meritorious, worthy

rewarding deserving workers

scholarships for deserving students

2

: appropriately having or being given something specified

—used with of

a proposal deserving of support [=a proposal that deserves support]

a criminal deserving of punishment

deservingly adverb

deservingness noun

Synonyms

Adjective

• good
• meritorious
• worthy

Examples of deserving in a Sentence

Adjective

He's a very deserving young man.

The church provides aid to deserving families.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Here’s to another year of first-class culinary adventures, and the final five restaurants that have made December’s ‘where to eat and drink in London’ shortlist—each deserving of a first and/or last hurrah. —Lela London, Forbes, 2 Dec. 2024

This means pieces are priced very affordably in terms of fine jewelry but with craftsmanship deserving of generations-long wear. —Laura Lajiness Kaupke, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Best Visual Effects Winners & Lessons The category for Best Visual Effects is the rare example where even disagreements about the most deserving nominee still usually recognizes the legitimacy of the rest of the nominees in the category. —Mark Hughes, Forbes, 5 Dec. 2024

There was no one more deserving of that opportunity than Pamela Anderson. —Jamie Lee Curtis, IndieWire, 4 Dec. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English deserving, deservinge, from gerund of deserven "to deserve"

Adjective

from present participle of deserve

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1549, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

deserving

adjective

de·​serv·​ing

di-ˈzər-viŋ

: worthy entry 1 sense 2

especially : worthy of financial help

aid for deserving families