deaf
[ def ]
/ dɛf /
adjective, deaf·er, deaf·est.
partially or wholly lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing; unable to hear.
refusing to listen, heed, or be persuaded; unreasonable or unyielding: deaf to all advice.
(initial capital letter)
of or relating to the Deaf or their cultural community: Deaf customs and values.
noun (used with a plural verb)
deaf persons collectively (usually preceded by the): social services for the deaf.
(initial capital letter)
deaf persons who identify themselves as members of a community composed of deaf persons and others who share in their culture (usually preceded by the).
Origin of deaf
before 900; Middle English
deef, Old English
dēaf; cognate with Middle Low German
dōf, Dutch
doof, Old High German
toub
pronunciation note for deaf
Deaf is usually pronounced
[def] /dɛf/, with the vowel of
left. In uneducated speech the dialectal pronunciation
[deef] /dif/, to rhyme with
leaf, is still heard occasionally, but it is increasingly rare.
usage note for deaf
See
dumb.
OTHER WORDS FROM deaf
Words nearby deaf
Example sentences from the Web for deaf
British Dictionary definitions for deaf
deaf
/ (dɛf) /
adjective
- partially or totally unable to hear
- (as collective noun; preceded by the)the deaf See also tone-deaf
refusing to heed
deaf to the cries of the hungry
Derived forms of deaf
deafly, adverb deafness, nounWord Origin for deaf
Old English
dēaf; related to Old Norse
daufr
undefined deaf
See
elderly
Medical definitions for deaf
deaf
[ dĕf ]
adj.
Partially or completely lacking in the sense of hearing.
Deaf
Of or relating to the Deaf or their culture.
n.
Deaf people considered as a group.
Deaf
The community of deaf people who use American Sign Language as a primary means of communication.
Idioms and Phrases with deaf
deaf