Talk:deserving

(plural noun) people qualified to receive something

(plural noun): people who have earned something justly through merit or need 
Microsoft® Encarta® 2009

--Backinstadiums (talk) 15:11, 14 April 2020 (UTC)

Any adjective can be used this way: "the wealthy", "the ugly", etc. Disputable whether it's a noun. Equinox ◑ 18:46, 14 April 2020 (UTC)