deaf

adjective

ˈdef How to pronounce deaf (audio)
 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
deafish adjective
deafly adverb
deafness noun

Examples of deaf in a Sentence

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 One in 1,000 children with measles will develop brain swelling that can leave a child deaf or with an intellectual disability; 1 to 3 children in 1,000 will die, according to the CDC. Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 11 Mar. 2024 The most recent update in December reported on a celebration of Native American Heritage Month, a unit for Spanish language students about Dia de los Muertos, a baking event to support soldiers, and a volunteer trip by American Sign Language students to help deaf residents decorate for holidays. Rory Linnane, Journal Sentinel, 7 Mar. 2024 Matlin, who is deaf, vented to her nearly 400,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter) and tagged CBS. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 2 Mar. 2024 That plea is likely to land on deaf ears in Jerusalem. Trudy Rubin, The Mercury News, 14 Feb. 2024 That set off a series of contentious and high-profile hearings attended by former students and advocates for deaf and blind children. Mary Jo Pitzl, The Arizona Republic, 21 Jan. 2024 Matlin, who is deaf, vented to her 400,000 followers on X and tagged CBS. People Staff, Peoplemag, 28 Feb. 2024 Some consumers have called the comments tone deaf from an executive who made more than $4 million last year. Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 26 Feb. 2024 Leila’s husband, who was deaf, was killed during Israel’s 2014 offensive in Gaza. Mosab Abu Toha, The New Yorker, 24 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'deaf.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of deaf was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near deaf

Cite this Entry

“Deaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deaf. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

deaf

adjective
1
: wholly or partly unable to hear
2
: unwilling to hear or listen
deaf to all suggestions
deafness noun

Medical Definition

deaf

adjective
: having total or partial hearing loss
deaf adults
also : of or relating to people who have total or partial hearing loss
deaf education
deafness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on deaf

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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