deaf

[ def ]

adjective

, deaf·er, deaf·est.

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 by the ):

   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

Usage

See elderly

Pronunciation Note

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

Derived Forms

• ˈdeafly, adverb
• ˈdeafness, noun

Other Words From

• deaf·ly adverb
• deaf·ness noun
• half-deaf adjective
• non·deaf adjective
• non·deaf·ly adverb
• non·deaf·ness noun
• qua·si-deaf adjective
• qua·si-deaf·ly adverb
• sem·i·deaf adjective
• sem·i·deaf·ness noun
• un·deaf 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

In addition to the idiom beginning with deaf , also see fall on deaf ears ; stone deaf ; turn a deaf ear .

Example Sentences

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.

From Fortune

Apple worked with Washington-based Gallaudet University, which specializes in educating deaf and hard-of-hearing students, to chose which clear mask to use.

From Fortune

It shows the full face so people who are deaf or hard of hearing can better understand what the wearer is saying.

From Fortune

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.

From Fortune

If 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.

From Digiday

And in his view, they may be good at policy but have “a deaf ear when it comes to politics.”

From The Daily Beast

Bowman claims that she told both her agent and an attorney about the incident, but her allegations fell on deaf ears.

From The Daily Beast

A new reality series spotlights the extent people will go to impress a crush—from pretending to be deaf to committing theft.

From The Daily Beast

Girma is a 26-year-old Harvard Law School graduate—and she is blind and deaf.

From The Daily Beast

Deaf and hard of hearing who wanted to view it could not get access to the talk—it was ridiculous.

From The Daily Beast

And 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.

From Project Gutenberg

Frau S. admitted that was true, but at the same time suggested it would be well for him to remember we were not all deaf.

From Project Gutenberg

Others revolt at the injustice of the monopoly, and the words fall on ears that would be deaf if they could.

From Project Gutenberg

She was determined to know God's will concerning her; and to such God never turns a deaf ear.

From Project Gutenberg

So Miss Grains made no alteration in her costume, and she turned a deaf ear to Mr. Puffin's ecclesiastical authority.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• headstrong
• indifferent
• oblivious
• strong-willed