How to Pronounce Deserving

To pronounce "deserving", say DES-erv-ing — 3 syllables, IPA /dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

deserving

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

If an accent sounds the same, your device is missing that voice — it falls back to the closest one.

Speed

Syllable by syllable — tap each one

Practice: Record & Compare

Record yourself saying deserving, then compare with the target. Your audio stays on this device — nothing is uploaded.

3

Syllables

9

Letters

/dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/

IPA

💡 Tip for remembering “deserving”

"deserving" has 3 syllables: des-erv-ing. It rhymes with unnerving and observing, if that helps it stick.

What does deserving mean?

verb

  1. To be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.

    “After playing so well, the team really deserved their win.”

  2. To earn, win.

noun

  1. Desert, merit

adjective

  1. Worthy of reward or praise; meritorious

    “the deserving poor”

  2. Meriting, worthy (reward, punishment etc.)

Synonyms

merit

Antonyms

undeserving

Words that rhyme with deserving

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

unnervingobservingpreservingunswervingservingcurvingconservingundeservingswervingnervingreserving

Related words

worthyworthmeritingmeritoriousmeritedmeritcommendablepraiseworthy

Frequently asked questions

How many syllables are in "deserving"?▾

"Deserving" has 3 syllables: des · erv · ing.

What is the IPA transcription of "deserving"?▾

The IPA transcription of "deserving" is /dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/.

What does "deserving" mean?▾

Deserving: To be entitled to, as a result of past actions; to be worthy to have.

Want the definition, translations into 8 languages, and read-aloud for full sentences?

Open “deserving” in the full dictionary →