English · Word Candidate

deaf

/dɛf/

Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.

Also seen as: deafer · deafest

Sense 1

Meaning · English

Unable (or partially able) to hear.

Adjective

Examples

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

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 2

Meaning · English

Unwilling to listen or be persuaded; determinedly inattentive.

Adjective

Examples

Those people are deaf to reason.

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Sense 3

Meaning · English

Of or relating to the culture surrounding deaf users of sign languages.

Adjective

Examples

Today, sign languages are the means of communication and interaction in Deaf communities around the world and have been shown to contain all the linguistic complexities and potentials of spoken languages (Stokoe, 1960/2005).

Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)

Sources & notes

Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).

Common questions

What does “deaf” mean?

Unable (or partially able) to hear.

Is “deaf” formal or informal?

No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.