deserving
B2Formal / Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Being worthy of something (e.g., praise, reward, attention), typically due to effort, qualities, or actions.
Often used as an attributive adjective (deserving candidate) or as a nominal (the deserving). Can imply a moral claim to something. Often followed by 'of' when used predictively.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While it means 'worthy', it often carries a stronger connotation of having earned a positive outcome through merit, struggle, or moral goodness. It can also be used somewhat ironically ('a well-deserving scoundrel').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No major lexical differences. The noun phrase 'the deserving poor' is a historical/philanthropic term equally used in both varieties.
Connotations
Slightly more common in formal, evaluative, or charitable contexts in both varieties.
Frequency
Broadly similar frequency. Possibly slightly higher in British English in political/charitable discourse.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
ADJ + of + NOUN (deserving of respect)ADJ + NOUN (a deserving charity)THE + ADJ (help the deserving)Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “the deserving poor”
- “richly deserving of”
- “get one's just deserts”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in performance reviews or award contexts: 'The team is deserving of a bonus.'
Academic
Common in ethical, sociological, or literary analysis: 'The protagonist is a morally deserving character.'
Everyday
Evaluating people or causes: 'She's a deserving winner of the competition.'
Technical
Rare in highly technical fields; more common in legal or HR contexts regarding claims or awards.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- He absolutely deserves that promotion.
American English
- She deserves a break after all that work.
adverb
British English
- This is a richly deserving award.
American English
- The team was justly deserving of its victory.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- She is a good student and deserving of praise.
- The hard-working team was deserving of a win.
- The film is deserving of all the awards it received.
- We should give our support to the most deserving charities.
- While all applicants were qualified, only the most deserving candidates were shortlisted.
- His actions, though controversial, were deserving of careful analysis.
- The committee's critique, while severe, was not entirely undeserving of the project's methodological flaws.
- Philanthropy in the Victorian era often distinguished sharply between the 'deserving' and 'undeserving' poor.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: DE-SERVE-ING. If you DEserve something, you are DESERVING of it. You SERVE your way to being worthy.
Conceptual Metaphor
WORTHINESS IS A DEBT TO BE PAID (someone deserves/deserving implies a moral or social debt owed to them).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid directly translating from constructions like 'он стоит похвалы' as 'he stands deserving'; use 'he is deserving of praise'.
- Do not confuse with the active sense of 'serving' (обслуживание). 'Deserving' is a state of worthiness, not an action.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a main verb (e.g., 'He is deserving a reward' – should be 'deserving of a reward' or 'deserves a reward').
- Spelling: *deservent, *deserving.
- Confusing 'deserving' (adjective) with 'deserves' (verb).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'deserving' used correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Deserves' is a verb (She deserves a prize). 'Deserving' is primarily an adjective (She is a deserving winner) or part of a gerund phrase. 'Deserving' often requires 'of' when followed by an object (deserving of a prize).
Yes, when used attributively before a noun (a deserving case) or as a nominal (help the deserving). When used predictively (after a verb like 'is') and followed by what is deserved, 'of' is usually needed.
Yes, it is the direct and common antonym, used in similar structures (e.g., 'undeserving of criticism', 'the undeserving rich').
Mostly yes, but it can be used ironically or with negative outcomes (e.g., 'deserving of contempt', 'deserving of punishment'). The core meaning is 'worthy of', which can be a positive or negative judgment.