deaf

The word “deaf” means unable, or only partly able, to hear. In plain terms, unable to hear, or (figuratively) refusing to pay attention to something.

“Deaf” is pronounced dehf (/diːf/ in IPA).

Here is “deaf” used in a sentence: “She has been deaf since birth.”

Words with a similar meaning to “deaf” include hard of hearing and hearing-impaired.

“Deaf” is an adjective.

The word “deaf” comes from Ancient Greek. From Old English deaf, from a Proto-Germanic root related to Ancient Greek typhlos, "blind" — the same broad idea of a blocked sense.

“Deaf” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Deaf” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unable, or only partly able, to hear.

Lowercase "deaf" describes the audiological condition of being unable, or only partly able, to hear. Capital-D "Deaf" signals identity with the Deaf community and its culture, typically among people who communicate primarily through sign language. Someone can be deaf without identifying as Deaf.

"Deaf" generally describes little or no functional hearing, while "hard of hearing" describes mild to moderate hearing loss where useful hearing remains. Individuals choose the term that best matches their experience, so it is polite to follow each person's own preference.

Many deaf and hard-of-hearing people dislike "hearing-impaired" because it defines them by an impairment, and advocacy organizations now recommend saying "deaf" or "hard of hearing" instead. "Deaf" is not a rude word — it is the term the community itself most commonly uses.

No. It uses the figurative sense of deaf — refusing to listen — so a request that "falls on deaf ears" is ignored by people who could hear it perfectly well. Likewise, to "turn a deaf ear" is to choose not to listen; some writers now avoid these idioms out of sensitivity.