51Թ

Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for

deaf

[def]

adjective

deafer, deafest 
  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 bythe ).

    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

/ ɛ /

adjective

    1. partially or totally unable to hear

    2. ( as collective noun ; preceded by the ) See also tone-deaf

      the deaf

  1. refusing to heed

    deaf to the cries of the hungry

“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
Discover More

Pronunciation Note

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

Other 51Թ Forms

  • deafly adverb
  • deafness noun
  • half-deaf adjective
  • nondeaf adjective
  • nondeafly adverb
  • nondeafness noun
  • quasi-deaf adjective
  • quasi-deafly adverb
  • semideaf adjective
  • semideafness noun
  • undeaf adjective
  • ˈ𲹴ڱ adverb
  • ˈ𲹴ڲԱ noun
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of deaf1

First recorded before 900; Middle English deef, Old English ŧ; cognate with Middle Low German ō, Dutch doof, Old High German toub
Discover More

51Թ History and Origins

Origin of deaf1

Old English ŧ; related to Old Norse daufr
Discover More

Idioms and Phrases

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

Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

But what if they fall on deaf ears?

From

But it was as a 19-year-old that Wilson - who was deaf in his right ear - finally discovered the musical talent that would define his life.

From

“And if she doesn’t have the IQ to show up, she’s tone deaf once again.”

From

But I had an advantage; they said, “Oh, your character is embarrassed by having a deaf son, so he didn’t learn it until later in life. So he’s not that good at it.”

From

In his first introduction to state party activists, Cloobeck said he plans to focus on lessons from the 2024 election and urging Democrats not to be tone deaf to the electorate’s needs.

From

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


deaeratedeaf aid