deaf

adjective

ˈdef 

 dialectal  ˈdēf

1

: having total or partial hearing loss

deaf people

the deaf community

also : of or relating to people who have total or partial hearing loss

deaf culture

deaf education

2

: unwilling to hear or listen : not to be persuaded

… when men are determined on mutiny, they are deaf to reason.

—Washington Irving

deafish

ˈde-fish 

adjective

deafly adverb

deafness noun

Examples of deaf in a Sentence

He has been deaf since birth.

She's completely deaf in her right ear.

He's going a little deaf so you'll have to speak up.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Harris-Walz campaign strategy in Michigan is clumsy and tone deaf. —Nina Turner, Newsweek, 30 Oct. 2024

She could be heard in the video telling the officers that her husband is deaf and has cerebral palsy. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2024

Sierra and Josh Justus have had Levi, who is deaf, since September 2021, and Maisy joined their Elizabeth City, N.C., home the following April. —Erin Clements, People.com, 19 Oct. 2024

McAlpin, who is deaf, according to court records, keeps walking. —Taylor Seely, The Arizona Republic, 17 Oct. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English deef, from Old English dēaf; akin to Greek typhlos blind, typhein to smoke, Latin fumus smoke — more at fume

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing deaf

• as deaf as a post
• deaf-aid
• deaf-mute
• fall on deaf ears
• go deaf
• stone-deaf
• struck deaf/blind
• the deaf
• tone-deaf
• turn a deaf ear

Kids Definition

deaf

adjective

ˈdef 

1

: wholly or partly unable to hear

2

: unwilling to hear or listen

deaf to all suggestions

deafness noun

Medical Definition

deaf

adjective

ˈdef 

: having total or partial hearing loss

deaf adults

also : of or relating to people who have total or partial hearing loss

deaf education

deafness noun