How to pronounce deserving
Say it like dih-ZUR-ving. Deserving has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUR).
VoiceSpeed
US American/dɪˈzɝvɪŋ/dih-ZUR-ving
UK British/dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/dih-ZUR-ving
- dih
- ZUR
- ving
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Deserving pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- dihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- ZURSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ur" in nurse.
- vingKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of deserving
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: dih-ZUR-ving.
What does deserving mean?
adjective
- (often used ironically) worthy of being treated in a particular way“an idea worth considering”“the deserving poor”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with deserving
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of deserving.
Questions about saying deserving
How do you pronounce deserving?
Say dih-ZUR-ving. The American pronunciation is /dɪˈzɝvɪŋ/. In British English it is /dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in deserving?
Deserving has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (ZUR). Broken into parts: dih · ZUR · ving.
Is deserving pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /dɪˈzɜːvɪŋ/ (dih-ZUR-ving).