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

“Please do not run; they’re all going to the same place,” an event staffer pleaded, falling on deaf ears.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

"I cannot be deaf and blind to this reality," he said.

Read more on Barron's

Without that admission, she said, the protesting team’s pleas would have necessarily fallen on deaf ears.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The series sees Rose, who has been deaf since birth, teach BSL to a group of older residents, showing how it uses visual sign language using gestures, facial expressions and body language to communicate.

Read more on BBC

But his attempts to pressure Democrats to back the Republican bill -- which would open the government through late November as negotiations continue -- have so far fallen on deaf ears.

Read more on Barron's

Related Words

• headstrong 
• indifferent 
• oblivious 
• strong-willed