deaf
[ def ]
/ dɛf /
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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.
Deaf, 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.
Usually the Deaf . Deaf persons who identify themselves as members of a community composed of Deaf persons and others who share in their culture.
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Origin of deaf
First recorded before 900; Middle English deef, Old English dēaf; cognate with Middle Low German dōf, Dutch doof, Old High German toub
how to pronounce deaf
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.
OTHER WORDS FROM deaf
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use deaf in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for deaf
deaf
/ (dɛf) /
adjective
- partially or totally unable to hear
- (as collective noun; preceded by the)the deaf See also tone-deaf
refusing to heeddeaf to the cries of the hungry
Derived forms of deaf
deafly, adverbdeafness, nounWord Origin for deaf
Old English dēaf; related to Old Norse daufr
undefined deaf
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
Medical definitions for deaf
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.
Other Idioms and Phrases with deaf
deaf
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.