deaf-mute

[ def-myoot ]

adjective

1. unable to hear and speak.

noun

1. a person who is unable to hear and speak, especially one in whom inability to speak is due to congenital or early deafness.

deaf-mute

noun

1. a person who is unable to hear or speak See also mute 1 mutism

adjective

1. unable to hear or speak

Usage

Using this word to refer to people without speech is considered outdated and offensive, and should be avoided. The phrase profoundly deaf is a suitable alternative in many contexts

Sensitive Note

See dumb.

Derived Forms

• ˈdeaf-ˌmuteness, noun

Other Words From

• deaf-muteness deaf-mutism noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of deaf-mute¹

First recorded in 1830–40; translation of French sourd-muet

Word History and Origins

Origin of deaf-mute¹

C19: translation of French sourd-muet

Example Sentences

“Witnesses … reported hearing deaf-mute Detainee Gantt making noises and banging on his cell door” during the night, according to charging documents.

From Seattle Times

A deaf-mute teen born with congenital cholesteatoma, Alice wanders away to pray to the oak tree, suddenly gaining the ability to hear and speak from a blindly white apparition.

From Los Angeles Times

A young servant fleeing from his master takes refuge at a dysfunctional convent in medieval Tuscany, disguising himself as a deaf-mute.

From Los Angeles Times

I am a deaf-mute, but I read the lips and understand what is said to me.

From Literature

But Zenti remained skeptical about the claims and said in 2017 testimony — conducted as part of a separate lawsuit — that even a word like sodomization would be “hard to convey for a deaf-mute.”

From Washington Post