adj
Uncommon
deserving
dih-ZUR-vihng
Deserving (adj) means Worthy of reward, help, or praise. Example: “The charity supports deserving students who couldn't otherwise afford university.”
adj
1
Worthy of reward, help, or praise.
"The charity supports deserving students who couldn't otherwise afford university."
"In the midst of a world war many centenaries pass unnoticed, but one which fell on August 2, namely, the opening of Fenchurch Street station, is deserving of record."
— , Notes and News: The London & Blackwall Cable Railway (1941)
How to use deserving
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomeone or something that has earned praise, help, or reward.
Common pairings
a deserving cause
deserving of praise
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Word forms
- Plural
- deservings
- Comparative
- more deserving
- Superlative
- most deserving
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The charity supports _____ students who couldn't otherwise afford university.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for deserving
See all rhymes for deserving →Frequently asked questions
What does “deserving” mean?
The word “deserving” means worthy of reward, help, or praise. In plain terms, someone or something that has earned praise, help, or reward.
How do you pronounce “deserving”?
“Deserving” is pronounced dih-ZUR-vihng (/dɪˈzɝvɪŋ/ in IPA).
How do you use “deserving” in a sentence?
Here is “deserving” used in a sentence: “The charity supports deserving students who couldn't otherwise afford university.”
What is the opposite of “deserving”?
The opposite of “deserving” — its antonyms — is undeserving.
What part of speech is “deserving”?
“Deserving” is an adjective.
Is “deserving” a common word?
“Deserving” is an uncommon word in modern English.
What is the difference between "deserving" and "worthy"?
"Deserving" focuses on having earned something through actions, effort, or circumstances, as in a deserving winner. "Worthy" is broader and can describe inherent value or merit even without a specific action behind it, such as a worthy cause. In practice the two overlap heavily and are often used interchangeably.
Does "deserving" need to be followed by "of"?
"Deserving" is commonly followed by "of" plus a noun, as in "deserving of praise" or "deserving of help," which is the more formal construction. It can also be used without "of" directly before a noun, such as "a deserving cause," so both patterns are correct depending on sentence structure.
Is "deserving" used differently in formal versus casual English?
"Deserving" appears in both registers, but the "deserving of X" pattern feels more formal and is common in written or official contexts, such as charity appeals or legal language. In casual speech, people more often use a simpler phrase like "deserves it" instead of the adjective form.
