deaf

UK /dɛf/ US /diːf/

adj 6noun 1verb 1

Definitions

adj

Unable (or partially able) to hear.

My brother has been deaf since sustaining injuries in the war.

It's important for TV shows to provide closed captioning for the deaf.

Unwilling to listen or be persuaded; determinedly inattentive.

Those people are deaf to reason.

O, that men's ears should be / To counsel deaf, but not to flattery!

Of or relating to the community of deaf people.

The best place to fight Hollywood deafism is in our deaf schools. If we give our children understanding and appreciation of our rich culture and sign language, the students will gain a deaf heritage and become more creative, more aware, and more assertive global deaf citizens.

Obscurely heard; stifled; deadened.

A deaf murmur through the squadron went.

Decayed; tasteless; useless.

a deaf nut; deaf corn

If the season be unkindly and intemperate, they [peppers] will catch a blast; and then the seeds will be deafe, void, light, and naught.

noun

A deaf person.

Among the second group of philanthropic educational institutions the institutes for the deafs and dumbs must be mentioned.

Negotiations for South Vietnam's political future and the enforcement of cease-fire between two sides progressed like a conversation between two deafs.

verb

To deafen.

It is enough, my hearing shall be punish'd With what shall happen, -- 'gainst the which there is No deafing -- but to hear, not taint mine eye With dread sights that it may shun.

Svvift as a VVhirl-vvind to the Nurſe he flyes; / And deafs his ſtormy Subjects vvith his cries.

Collocations

(adj.)

VERBS

be born

Many children who are born deaf learn to communicate through sign language.

become, end up, go

She gradually went deaf after years of working in the loud factory.

remain

He remained deaf to all criticism and continued with his original plan.

leave sb, make sb

Years of loud concerts have made him deaf in both ears.

ADV

very

profoundly

My grandmother became profoundly deaf after a serious illness when she was in her fifties.

stone, totally

My grandfather is stone deaf, so we always write notes to communicate with him.

a little, partially, rather, slightly

My grandfather is rather deaf, so we always speak up when we visit him.

chronically

My grandmother has been chronically deaf since childhood, so we always face her when speaking.

PREP

~ to

The manager was deaf to all complaints from the workers about the new schedule.

PHRASES

deaf in one ear

Thesaurus

Synonyms

verb — make or render deaf

deafen

Antonyms

Idioms & Phrases

stone deaf

Utterly deaf.

Years of working under such noisy conditions ultimately left him stone deaf.

I'm deaf

Indicates that one is deaf.

are you deaf

Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see are, you, deaf.

preach to deaf ears

To attempt to persuade a party that does not wish to listen or cannot be altered in its conviction.

Roosevelt was tired of preaching to deaf ears. He was ready to try something else.

there are none so deaf as those who will not hear

Synonym of there are none so blind as those who will not see.

Example Bank

My brother has been deaf since sustaining injuries in the war.

Wiktionary

It's important for TV shows to provide closed captioning for the deaf.

Wiktionary

Come on my right hand, for this ear is deaf.

Wiktionary

Among the second group of philanthropic educational institutions the institutes for the deafs and dumbs must be mentioned.

Wiktionary

Negotiations for South Vietnam's political future and the enforcement of cease-fire between two sides progressed like a conversation between two deafs.

Wiktionary

"I work with the blind mostly. Some deafs too," I told her.

Wiktionary

Usage Notes

i Register

In some senses, deaf is marked as obsolete, UK, rare. Watch for register when choosing this word.

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