merit
MEH-riht
Merit (noun) means a quality that deserves praise, reward, or recognition. Example: “The judges praised the film for its artistic merit and clever script.”
noun
1
A quality that deserves praise, reward, or recognition.
"The judges praised the film for its artistic merit and clever script."
"The proposal has real merit and deserves a closer look."
"Judge the essay on its merit, not on who wrote it."
verb
1
To deserve or earn something, whether good or bad.
"Your idea merits serious consideration, so let's discuss it at the next meeting."
"Such rude behaviour merits a stern word from the teacher."
"His hard work merited a promotion."
How to use merit
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishBeing good or worthy enough to deserve praise, reward, or attention.
Common pairings
on its merits
merit a response
artistic merit
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Word forms
- Plural
- merits
- Third person singular
- merits
- Past tense
- merited
- Archaic forms
- meritest, meritedst, meriteth
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The judges praised the film for its artistic _____ and clever script.
Etymology
From Middle English merite, ultimately from Latin merere, "to earn or deserve."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for merit
See all rhymes for merit →Frequently asked questions
What does “merit” mean?
The word “merit” means a quality that deserves praise, reward, or recognition. In plain terms, being good or worthy enough to deserve praise, reward, or attention.
How do you pronounce “merit”?
“Merit” is pronounced MEH-riht (/ˈmɛɹɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “merit” in a sentence?
Here is “merit” used in a sentence: “The proposal has real merit and deserves a closer look.”
What part of speech is “merit”?
Depending on how it is used, “merit” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “merit” come from?
The word “merit” comes from Latin. From Middle English merite, ultimately from Latin merere, "to earn or deserve.".
Is “merit” a common word?
“Merit” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the C2 level.
How many meanings does “merit” have?
“Merit” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a quality that deserves praise, reward, or recognition.
What is the difference between merit and worth?
Merit is a quality that earns praise, reward, or recognition, so it implies deserving something. Worth is the value something has, whether or not anyone rewards it. A plan can have merit even if its practical worth is small, and an heirloom can have worth without any merit involved.
When should you use "merit" instead of "deserve"?
As verbs both mean to be worthy of something, good or bad. "Merit" is more formal and slightly more detached, common in written English: "the proposal merits serious consideration". "Deserve" is the everyday word and is preferred when talking about people's feelings or fairness: "she deserves an apology".
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