stone-deaf

American  

[stohn-def] / ˈstoʊnˈdɛf /

adjective

1. totally deaf.

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stone-deaf British  

adjective

1. completely deaf

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stone deaf Idioms  

1. Totally unable to hear, as in Poor Grandpa, in the last year he's become stone deaf. [First half of 1800s]

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Usage

Use of this word to refer to people with serious hearing difficulties is potentially very offensive: preferred form: profoundly deaf

Etymology

Origin of stone-deaf

First recorded in 1830–40; stone + deaf

Example Sentences

They are pictures to the eye of the blind, heavenly music to the stone-deaf.

From Project Gutenberg

"I am stone-deaf," she said, "but have learned to read what people are saying from the movement of their lips."

From Project Gutenberg

"Any time this club calls me I'm stone-deaf."

From Project Gutenberg

He resembled Jemmy Quark in being almost stone-deaf, and had a further bond of union with the gardener of Balladhoo in being musical.

From Project Gutenberg

Though scarcely short of stone-deaf, he was musical.

From Project Gutenberg