deaf

[ def ]

adjective

, deaf·er, deaf·est.

1. partially or wholly lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing; unable to hear.
2. refusing to listen, heed, or be persuaded; unreasonable or unyielding:

   deaf to all advice.

3. Deaf, of or relating to the Deaf or their cultural community:

   Deaf customs and values.

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. Deaf persons collectively (usually preceded by the ):

   social services for the Deaf.

2. Usually the Deaf. Deaf persons who identify themselves as members of a community composed of Deaf persons and others who share in their culture.

deaf

/ dɛf /

adjective

1. 1. partially or totally unable to hear
   2. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the ) See also tone-deaf

      the deaf

2. refusing to heed

   deaf to the cries of the hungry

Usage

See elderly

Pronunciation Note

Deaf is usually pronounced [def], with the vowel of left. In uneducated speech the dialectal pronunciation [deef], to rhyme with leaf, is still heard occasionally, but it is increasingly rare.

Derived Forms

• ˈdeafly, adverb
• ˈdeafness, noun

Other Words From

• deaf·ly adverb
• deaf·ness noun
• half-deaf adjective
• non·deaf adjective
• non·deaf·ly adverb
• non·deaf·ness noun
• qua·si-deaf adjective
• qua·si-deaf·ly adverb
• sem·i·deaf adjective
• sem·i·deaf·ness noun
• un·deaf adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deaf¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English deef, Old English dēaf; cognate with Middle Low German dōf, Dutch doof, Old High German toub

Word History and Origins

Origin of deaf¹

Old English dēaf; related to Old Norse daufr

Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idiom beginning with deaf , also see fall on deaf ears ; stone deaf ; turn a deaf ear .

Example Sentences

McCausland's dance follows a performance in 2021 from actor Rose Ayling-Ellis who is deaf and paid tribute to the deaf community by dancing for a short while with her partner Giovanni Pernice in complete silence.

From BBC

It follows a performance in 2021 from actor Rose Ayling-Ellis who is deaf.

From BBC

Ayling-Ellis and her dance partner Giovanni Pernice paid tribute to the deaf community by dancing for a short while in complete silence.

From BBC

Scientists believe they have found a quirky way to fight mosquito-spread diseases such as dengue, yellow fever and Zika - by turning male insects deaf so they struggle to mate and breed.

From BBC

The researchers from the University of California, Santa Barbara, who have published their work in the journal PNAS, said the effect of the gene knock-out was "absolute", as mating by deaf males was entirely eliminated.

From BBC

Related Words

• headstrong
• indifferent
• oblivious
• strong-willed