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
Washington Irving deafish
ˈde-fish
adjective deafly adverb
deafness noun
Example Sentences
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 Oscar-winning film showcases deaf actors and lives. New York Times, 19 July 2022 Nović is a thoughtful tour guide through her own deaf culture, providing mini history lessons and illustrations of vocabulary words in American Sign Language. Washington Post, 26 May 2022 After the Cubs’ 12-1 season — during which players took it upon themselves to champion the deaf community — the state took notice. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022 Only about 1% of the deaf community attends religious services of any kind, surveys show. Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2022 Now deaf actors wait to see what the future will bring. Bob Verini, Variety, 17 Mar. 2022 Kotsur became the first solo deaf actor to receive an individual SAG Award nomination this year. Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, 27 Feb. 2022 Troy Kotsur, the veteran deaf actor who plays the film’s fisherman father, won outstanding supporting performance. Jake Coyle, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2021 Blue proposed a comprehensive national health program—but the call fell on deaf ears, as Americans sought to return to normalcy. Erin Prater, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2022 See More
New York Times, 19 July 2022 Nović is a thoughtful tour guide through her own deaf culture, providing mini history lessons and illustrations of vocabulary words in American Sign Language. Washington Post, 26 May 2022 After the Cubs’ 12-1 season — during which players took it upon themselves to champion the deaf community — the state took notice. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 16 May 2022 Only about 1% of the deaf community attends religious services of any kind, surveys show. Ashley Luthern, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2022 Now deaf actors wait to see what the future will bring. Bob Verini, Variety, 17 Mar. 2022 Kotsur became the first solo deaf actor to receive an individual SAG Award nomination this year. Benjamin Vanhoose, PEOPLE.com, 27 Feb. 2022 Troy Kotsur, the veteran deaf actor who plays the film’s fisherman father, won outstanding supporting performance. Jake Coyle, USA TODAY, 30 Nov. 2021 Blue proposed a comprehensive national health program—but the call fell on deaf ears, as Americans sought to return to normalcy. Erin Prater, Fortune, 21 Aug. 2022 See More 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
Kids Definition
deaf
adjective
ˈdef
1
: wholly or partly unable to hear
2
: unwilling to hear or listen
She was deaf to all suggestions.
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
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