definitions

deaf

[ def ]
/ dɛf /
|

adjective, deaf·er, deaf·est.

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.
(initial capital letter) of or relating to the Deaf or their cultural community: Deaf customs and values.

noun (used with a plural verb)

deaf persons collectively (usually preceded by the): social services for the deaf.
(initial capital letter) deaf persons who identify themselves as members of a community composed of deaf persons and others who share in their culture (usually preceded by the).

RELATED CONTENT

A Look At American Sign LanguageAmerican Sign Language, or ASL, is the visual signing language used by the Deaf community in the United States.
READ MORE
What Does 🤟 Love-you-gesture Emoji Mean?The love-you gesture or I love you hand sign emoji is the American Sign Language gesture for "I love you," showing a hand with a raised index finger and pinky (little) finger and an extended thumb. It comes in a range of skin tones.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

strong-willed, oblivious, indifferent, headstrong, obstinate, bullheaded, intractable, mulish, pertinacious, perverse, pigheaded, stubborn, unaware, unconcerned, unmoved, self-willed

Nearby words

deadrise, deadweight tonnage, deadwood, deadwork, deaerate, deaf, deaf aid, deaf as a post, deaf without speech, deaf-and-dumb, deaf-blind

Origin of deaf

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

Related forms

Pronunciation note

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

Usage note

See dumb.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for deafer

British Dictionary definitions for deafer

deaf

/ (dɛf) /

adjective

  1. partially or totally unable to hear
  2. (as collective noun; preceded by the)the deaf See also tone-deaf
refusing to heeddeaf to the cries of the hungry

Derived Forms

deafly, adverbdeafness, noun

Word Origin for deaf

Old English dēaf; related to Old Norse daufr

xref

See elderly
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

Medicine definitions for deafer

deaf

[ dĕf ]

adj.

Partially or completely lacking in the sense of hearing.
Deaf Of or relating to the Deaf or their culture.

n.

Deaf people considered as a group.
Deaf The community of deaf people who use American Sign Language as a primary means of communication.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.

Idioms and Phrases with deafer

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.