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

deafish

ˈde-fish 

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

Lang eventually conducted her own test, confirming that Frankie was deaf. —Lila Hempel-Edgers, Charlotte Observer, 23 June 2025

The 59-year-old, who is deaf, told Fox News Digital through an interpreter that turning to Winkler during a difficult time in her life was a no-brainer. —Stephanie Nolasco, FOXNews.com, 14 June 2025

Libertad’s first feature turns on a pregnant deaf woman’s fears about motherhood. —John Hopewell, Variety, 7 June 2025

Her advocacy expertise extends to housing, behavioral health and advocating for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing. —Mary Divine, Twin Cities, 3 June 2025

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

• as deaf as a post
• deaf-aid
• deaf-mute
• fall on deaf ears
• go deaf
• stone-deaf
• struck deaf/blind
• the deaf
• 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