Definition of DEAF

deaf

Meanings

Plural: deafs

Noun

  • people who have severe hearing impairments
    • "many of the deaf use sign language"
  • A deaf person.

Verb

  • make or render deaf
    • "a deafening noise"
  • To deafen.

Adjective

  • lacking or deprived of the sense of hearing wholly or in part

Adjective Satellite

  • (usually followed by `to') unwilling or refusing to pay heed
    • "deaf to her warnings"

Adj

  • Unable to hear, or only partially able to hear.
  • Unwilling to listen or be persuaded; determinedly inattentive; regardless.
  • Of or relating to the community of deaf people.
  • Obscurely heard; stifled; deadened.
  • Decayed; tasteless; dead.

Origin / Etymology

From Middle English deef, from Old English dēaf, from Proto-West Germanic *daub, from Proto-Germanic *daubaz, from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewbʰ- (“to whisk, smoke, darken, obscure”). Cognate with Ancient Greek τυφλός (tuphlós, “blind”). See also dumb. Doublet of daff, dof, and dowf.

Synonyms

deafen, hard of hearing, hearing-impaired, indifferent

Antonyms

hearing

Scrabble Score: 8

deaf is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
deaf is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
deaf is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 8

deaf is a valid Words With Friends word