stone-deaf

[ stohn-def ]

adjective

1. totally deaf.

stone-deaf

adjective

1. completely deaf

Usage

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of stone-deaf¹

First recorded in 1830–40; stone + deaf

Idioms and Phrases

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

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

Of course, Mr. Quirk, the schoolmaster, could read, but, as we have seen, he resembled Hommy-beg in being almost stone-deaf.

From Project Gutenberg