word deafness

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noun Pathology.

inability to comprehend the meanings of words though they are heard, caused by lesions of the auditory center of the brain.

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Origin of word deafness

First recorded in 1885–90

OTHER WORDS FROM word deafness

word-deaf, adjective

Words nearby word deafness

word blindness, wordbook, wordbreak, word burst, word class, word deafness, Worde, word for word, word game, word-hoard, wordie

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use word deafness in a sentence

This is acting in every sense of the word—bringing an unevolved animal to life and making it utterly believable.
Oscars 2015: The Daily Beast’s Picks, From Scarlett Johansson to ‘Boyhood’|Marlow Stern|January 6, 2015|DAILY BEAST
She vowed to repay the money—no official word, however, on whether she ever did that.
Fergie Dives Into Prince Andrew’s Sex Scandal|Tom Sykes|January 5, 2015|DAILY BEAST
But news of the classes is spread mainly by word of mouth, and participants bring along their friends and families.
Iran’s Becoming a Footloose Nation as Dance Lessons Spread|IranWire|January 2, 2015|DAILY BEAST
Still other people have moved away from the word “diet” altogether.
Why Your New Year’s Diet Will Fail|Carrie Arnold|December 30, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Back in Iran, he once got word that the Iranians were going to raid a village where his men were stationed.
The Dangerous Drug-Funded Secret War Between Iran and Pakistan|Umar Farooq|December 29, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Not a word now,” cried Longcluse harshly, extending his hand quickly towards him; “I may do that which can't be undone.
Checkmate|Joseph Sheridan Le Fanu
Every word that now fell from the agitated Empress was balm to the affrighted nerves of her daughter.
The Pastor's Fire-side Vol. 3 of 4|Jane Porter
When we were mounted Mac leaned over and muttered an admonitory word for Piegan's ear alone.
Raw Gold|Bertrand W. Sinclair
Now for the tempering of the Gudgeons, I leave it to the judgment of the Workman; but a word or two of the polishing of it.
Tintinnalogia, or, the Art of Ringing|Richard Duckworth and Fabian Stedman
Huxley quotes with satirical gusto Dr. Wace's declaration as to the word "Infidel."
God and my Neighbour|Robert Blatchford

British Dictionary definitions for word deafness

word deafness

noun

loss of ability to understand spoken words, esp as the result of a cerebral lesionAlso called: auditory aphasia

Derived forms of word deafness

word-deaf, adjective

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