deaf
partially or wholly lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing; unable to hear.
refusing to listen, heed, or be persuaded; unreasonable or unyielding: deaf to all advice.
Deaf, of or relating to the Deaf or their cultural community: Deaf customs and values.
Deaf persons collectively (usually preceded by the): social services for the Deaf.
Usually the Deaf . Deaf persons who identify themselves as members of a community composed of Deaf persons and others who share in their culture.
Origin of deaf
1pronunciation note For deaf
Other words from deaf
- deafly, adverb
- deafness, noun
- half-deaf, adjective
- non·deaf, adjective
- non·deaf·ly, adverb
- non·deaf·ness, noun
- quasi-deaf, adjective
- quasi-deafly, adverb
- sem·i·deaf, adjective
- sem·i·deaf·ness, noun
- un·deaf, adjective
Words Nearby deaf
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use deaf in a sentence
If it’s clear that they’re only there to hear themselves or a privileged few speak, it’s probably also true that they are deaf to the concerns of the people they represent.
Book recommendations from Fortune’s 40 under 40 in government and policy | Rachel King | September 10, 2020 | FortuneApple worked with Washington-based Gallaudet University, which specializes in educating deaf and hard-of-hearing students, to chose which clear mask to use.
It shows the full face so people who are deaf or hard of hearing can better understand what the wearer is saying.
The company hopes to test the technology in patients paralyzed by spinal cord injuries and someday, Musk said, restore the hearing and sight of people who are deaf or blind.
Neurologists aren’t so sure about Elon Musk’s Neuralink brain implant startup | dzanemorris | August 31, 2020 | FortuneIf you ask agency execs and employees how marketers are managing that task, they’ll tell you that it’s a balancing act as marketers don’t want to appear “tone deaf” but they also don’t want to overdo it with messaging like the initial response ads.
‘Implicitly rather than explicitly’: Advertisers no longer want to discuss the coronavirus | Kristina Monllos | July 20, 2020 | Digiday
And in his view, they may be good at policy but have “a deaf ear when it comes to politics.”
Bowman claims that she told both her agent and an attorney about the incident, but her allegations fell on deaf ears.
Bill Cosby’s Long List of Accusers (So Far): 18 Alleged Sexual Assault Victims Between 1965-2004 | Marlow Stern | November 24, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTA new reality series spotlights the extent people will go to impress a crush—from pretending to be deaf to committing theft.
‘My Crazy Love’ Reveals the Craziest Lies People Tell for Love | Kevin Fallon | November 18, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTGirma is a 26-year-old Harvard Law School graduate—and she is blind and deaf.
TEDx Talks Have a Disability Problem—but This Incredible Young Woman Is Working to Change That | Nina Strochlic | November 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTdeaf and hard of hearing who wanted to view it could not get access to the talk—it was ridiculous.
TEDx Talks Have a Disability Problem—but This Incredible Young Woman Is Working to Change That | Nina Strochlic | November 5, 2014 | THE DAILY BEASTAnd in that day the deaf shall hear the words of the book, and out of darkness and obscurity the eyes of the blind shall see.
The Bible, Douay-Rheims Version | VariousFrau S. admitted that was true, but at the same time suggested it would be well for him to remember we were not all deaf.
Music-Study in Germany | Amy FayOthers revolt at the injustice of the monopoly, and the words fall on ears that would be deaf if they could.
The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness | Florence HartleyShe was determined to know God's will concerning her; and to such God never turns a deaf ear.
The value of a praying mother | Isabel C. ByrumSo Miss Grains made no alteration in her costume, and she turned a deaf ear to Mr. Puffin's ecclesiastical authority.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3) | Charles James Wills
British Dictionary definitions for deaf
/ (dɛf) /
partially or totally unable to hear
(as collective noun; preceded by the): the deaf See also tone-deaf
refusing to heed: deaf to the cries of the hungry
Origin of deaf
1deaf
Derived forms of deaf
- deafly, adverb
- deafness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Other Idioms and Phrases with deaf
In addition to the idiom beginning with deaf
- deaf as a post
also see:
- fall on deaf ears
- stone deaf
- turn a deaf ear
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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