ENGLISH
REFERENCE

deserving

adj.
US //dɪˈzɝvɪŋ// UK //dɪzˈɜːvɪŋ// de·serv·ing
  1. 1 worthy of help or praise (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    worthy of receiving something good, like help, money, or a prize, because of good behavior or hard work.

    meriting reward, assistance, or praise due to intrinsic merit or virtuous conduct.

    Example

    The charity provides small grants to deserving students who cannot afford their textbooks.

    Example

    The committee struggled to select a single winner from such a deserving pool of candidates, all of whom had demonstrated exceptional community service.

    Usage

    Often used before a noun like 'cause', 'winner', or 'student'.

© 2026 English Reference