Langimage
English

undeserving

|un-de-serv-ing|

B2

🇺🇸

/ˌʌndɪˈzɜrvɪŋ/

🇬🇧

/ˌʌndɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/

(deserve)

worthy of reward

Base Form3rd Person Sing.PastPast ParticiplePresent ParticipleNounNounAdjectiveAdjectiveAdjectiveAdverb
deservedeservesdeserveddeserveddeservingdeservednessdeservingnessundeserveddeserveddeservingdeservedly
Etymology
Etymology Information

'undeserving' originates from the prefix 'un-' meaning 'not' and the word 'deserve', which comes from Latin 'deservire', meaning 'to serve well'.

Historical Evolution

'deservire' transformed into the Old French word 'deservir', and eventually became the modern English word 'deserve'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'to serve well', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'not worthy of something'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

not worthy of something, especially of praise or reward.

He felt undeserving of the praise he received.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:45