deaf
deaf Lexical Profile
deaf Game Scores & Validity
• adjective
Lacking the power of hearing, or having impaired hearing.
"The school offers specialized programs and sign language instruction for deaf students."
Unwilling or unable to hear, notice, or be persuaded by something such as an appeal or criticism.
"The committee remained deaf to the urgent pleas of the local residents."
• noun
People who are unable to hear or have severe hearing loss, considered collectively (usually preceded by 'the').
"New captioning technologies have significantly improved broadcast accessibility for the deaf."
Word Nuance & Usage
When capitalized as 'Deaf', the term specifically refers to people who identify with a distinct cultural and linguistic community centered around sign language, whereas lowercase 'deaf' refers strictly to the audiological condition of hearing loss.
• Rhymes for deaf
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old English dēaf, of Proto-Germanic origin (*daubaz), related to Dutch doof and German taub, ultimately from a Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to be dull, confused, or senseless'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.