# deserved

/dɪˈzɝvd/ (US) · /dɪzˈɜːvd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/deserved
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. fair or earned

adjective · CEFR B1

used to describe something you have earned because of your hard work or behavior.

For teachers: merited or justly earned through one's actions, qualities, or efforts.

- After months of studying, she finally got a well-deserved break.
- The team's victory was well-deserved, reflecting their disciplined training regimen and superior tactical execution throughout the tournament.

## Examples

- She worked hard and deserved the promotion.
- After months of training for the marathon, he felt he deserved a long vacation on the beach.
- While the critic acknowledged the film's technical brilliance, he argued that the lead actor deserved more recognition for his nuanced portrayal of the protagonist.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.