Definition

Worthy of receiving something good, such as praise or help.

Example

She is deserving of recognition for her hard work.

Conversation

I really think everyone who helped out deserves some recognition.

Absolutely! They put in so much effort for the project.

Yeah, it just shows how deserving they are of praise.

For sure! We should definitely celebrate their hard work.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Definition

The quality of being worthy of something, often in terms of receiving a reward or recognition.

Example

Her hard work and dedication showed that she was deserving of the award.

Conversation

I think everyone has their own idea of what is deserving in life.

That's true! Some people believe hard work always pays off.

Exactly! But sometimes it feels like luck plays a bigger role than being deserving of something.

Root Explanation

Deserving is formed from "deserve" (from Old French *deservir*, meaning to earn or merit) and the suffix "-ing" (indicating the action or process of). The word "deserving" refers to the quality of being worthy of something, typically as a result of one's actions or merits.

Memory Tip

Think of someone who has 'earned' something ('deserve') and the '-ing' shows that this is an ongoing quality. This helps you remember that 'deserving' means having the quality of being worthy.

Visually Confused Words