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 That's the horrid reality for deaf and mute author Maddie Young (Kate Siegel), who retreats to a cabin in the woods to write her next book — only to become the target of a sadistic, taunting serial killer. James Mercadante, EW.com, 22 Oct. 2024 To some people, this preoccupation with horror can seem tone deaf. Sarah Kollat, The Conversation, 18 Oct. 2024 Wong hopes her team – which is made up of deaf and hard of hearing folks, immigrants and people with disabilities – will be at the forefront of ushering in that progress. Pauleanna Reid, Forbes, 18 Oct. 2024 The jump scares don’t stop in this truly chilling tale of a deaf writer (Kate Siegel) who’s all alone at a remote cabin. Eric Andersson, People.com, 12 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for deaf 

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 31 Oct. 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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