deaf-mute

noun

ˈdef-ˈmyüt 

plural deaf-mutes

dated, now offensive

: a deaf person who lacks the ability to speak

Note: The term deaf-mute is considered offensive in its implied suggestion that deaf people are not able to communicate.

deaf-mute adjective dated, now offensive

Examples of deaf-mute in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Here, the McPoyle twins (joined by deaf-mute sister and probable lover Margaret, played by Thesy Surface) burst into Paddy’s to take the Gang hostage at gunpoint. — Dennis Perkins, Entertainment Weekly, 28 July 2026

To play Baby Karmakar, the deaf-mute assassin at the center of it, Qureshi learned sign language. — Naman Ramachandran, Variety, 22 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for deaf-mute

• acute
• aleut
• astute
• beetroot
• breadfruit
• cheroot
• commute
• compute
• confute
• dilute
• dispute
• elute

Kids Definition

deaf-mute

noun

ˈdef-ˌmyüt

offensive

: a deaf person who cannot speak or has not been taught to speak

—used especially in the past

Medical Definition

deaf-mute

1 of 2 adjective

ˈdef-ˈmyüt 

dated, now offensive

: lacking the sense of hearing and the ability to speak

deaf-muteness noun dated, now offensive

deaf-mutism

-ˈmyüt-ˌiz-əm 

noun dated, now offensive

deaf-mute

2 of 2 noun

dated, now offensive

: a deaf person who lacks the ability to speak