deaf

1 of 2

adjective

ˈdef 

dialectal ˈdēf

deafer; deafest

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

old-fashioned + sometimes offensive : unwilling to hear or listen : not to be persuaded

… when men are determined on mutiny, they are deaf to reason.

—Washington Irving

deafish

ˈde-fish 

adjective

deafly adverb

deafness noun

see also:

turn a deaf ear

Usage of Deaf

Some disability advocates recommend against the use of the word deaf before nouns such as person, woman, man, etc., because it is regarded as defining a person by their condition. Instead, they suggest using language that acknowledges the person before their condition or disability, as in "a person who is deaf" or "a person with deafness." However, many in the deaf community reject this idea, preferring phrases such as "a deaf person." Figurative uses of deaf (as in sense 2 above), and of some derivatives, compounds, and idioms that contain the word deaf, may be considered offensive in some contexts.

deaf

2 of 2

noun

Phrases

the deaf

sometimes offensive

: deaf people : people with total or partial hearing loss

Note: Use of the noun the deaf is sometimes offensive. Phrases that use the adjective deaf, such as "people who are deaf" or "deaf people," are often preferred. Some organizations use the deaf in their names, such as the National Association of the Deaf. Use of the deaf in such contexts is not usually regarded as offensive.

see also the usage paragraph at deaf entry 1

Examples of deaf in a Sentence

Adjective

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

Adjective

The West Hartford school is working in partnership with the Rochester Deaf Kitchen, a food pantry opened in August 2023 on the campus of the Rochester School for the Deaf that has served thousands in the deaf community. — Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 14 Sep. 2026

How many interpreters need to be there for the deaf performers? — Kate Erbland, IndieWire, 10 Sep. 2026

Noun

The wound paralyzed part of her face and left her deaf in one ear. — Brian Niemietz, New York Daily News, 14 Sep. 2026

Whether that was a good idea or tone deaf is up for debate, but the move cost Mulkey and the Tigers one of their better players for the 2026 season and beyond. — Austin Perry Outkick, FOXNews.com, 25 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English deef, from Old English dēaf; akin to Greek typhlos blind, typhein to smoke, Latin fumus smoke — more at fume

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing deaf

• fall on deaf ears
• go deaf
• struck deaf/blind
• tone-deaf
• turn a deaf ear

Rhymes for deaf

• chef
• clef
• ref

Kids Definition

deaf

adjective

ˈdef 

1

: wholly or partly unable to hear

2

: unwilling to hear or listen

deaf to all suggestions

deafness noun

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

deafness noun