deaf

[def]

adjective

deafer, deafest 

1. partially or wholly lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing; unable to hear.

2. refusing to listen, heed, or be persuaded; unreasonable or unyielding.

   deaf to all advice.

3. Deaf, of or relating to the Deaf or their cultural community.

   Deaf customs and values.

noun

(used with a plural verb)

1. Deaf persons collectively (usually preceded bythe ).

   social services for the Deaf.

2. Usually the Deaf Deaf persons who identify themselves as members of a community composed of Deaf persons and others who share in their culture.

deaf

/ dɛf /

adjective

1. 1. partially or totally unable to hear

   2. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the ) See also tone-deaf

      the deaf

2. refusing to heed

   deaf to the cries of the hungry

Pronunciation Note

Deaf is usually pronounced , with the vowel of left. In uneducated speech the dialectal pronunciation , to rhyme with leaf, is still heard occasionally, but it is increasingly rare.

Other Word Forms

• deafly adverb
• deafness noun
• half-deaf adjective
• nondeaf adjective
• nondeafly adverb
• nondeafness noun
• quasi-deaf adjective
• quasi-deafly adverb
• semideaf adjective
• semideafness noun
• undeaf adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deaf¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English deef, Old English dēaf; cognate with Middle Low German dōf, Dutch doof, Old High German toub

Word History and Origins

Origin of deaf¹

Old English dēaf; related to Old Norse daufr

Idioms and Phrases

• fall on deaf ears
• stone deaf
• turn a deaf ear

Example Sentences

But, Still said, their protestations fell on deaf ears.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

“I’ve written letters, the city’s written letters, but it’s kind of fallen on deaf ears.”

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People who are born profoundly deaf, meaning they have little or no hearing, often rely on sign language rather than speech to communicate.

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In July 2011, Mr Lock, 44, who is partially deaf and sighted, joined her in the school reception while she waited unsuccessfully for two hours to speak to Foden.

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A series of luxury vacations drew criticism for being tone deaf - including one trip to the private island of the Aga Khan in the Bahamas, which was found to have violated federal conflict-of-interest laws.

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Related Words

• headstrong 
• indifferent 
• oblivious 
• strong-willed