1
: having total or partial hearing loss
deaf people
the deaf community
also
: of or relating to people who have total or partial hearing loss
deaf culture
deaf education
2
: unwilling to hear or listen : not to be persuaded
… when men are determined on mutiny, they are deaf to reason.—
Washington Irving
Washington IrvingExamples of deaf in a Sentence
He has been deaf since birth.
She's completely deaf in her right ear.
He's going a little deaf so you'll have to speak up.
Recent Examples on the Web
Both of her parents were deaf and communicated through sign language, while her dad worked as a wallpaper trimmer and her mom as a domestic helper, according to the Daily Mail.
—Makena Gera, People.com, 24 Nov. 2024
Charges dropped against deaf man after bodycam video shows Phoenix police punching and tasing him on the ground
Body camera footage shows the officer was the first to outstretch his arms toward McAlpin while McAlpin’s arms remained by his side.
—Karina Tsui, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
Charges dropped against deaf Black man who was punched by Phoenix police
McAlpin was initially charged with felony assault and resisting arrest following the Aug. 19 encounter with Phoenix police, but the charges were dropped on Oct. 17.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2024
All charges have been dismissed against a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy who was shocked with a Taser and repeatedly punched by Phoenix police officers.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deaf 
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Makena Gera, People.com, 24 Nov. 2024
Charges dropped against deaf man after bodycam video shows Phoenix police punching and tasing him on the ground
Body camera footage shows the officer was the first to outstretch his arms toward McAlpin while McAlpin’s arms remained by his side.
—Karina Tsui, CNN, 23 Oct. 2024
Charges dropped against deaf Black man who was punched by Phoenix police
McAlpin was initially charged with felony assault and resisting arrest following the Aug. 19 encounter with Phoenix police, but the charges were dropped on Oct. 17.
—Deena Zaru, ABC News, 22 Oct. 2024
All charges have been dismissed against a deaf Black man with cerebral palsy who was shocked with a Taser and repeatedly punched by Phoenix police officers.
—Minyvonne Burke, NBC News, 19 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for deaf
Dictionary Entries Near deaf
Cite this Entry
“Deaf.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/deaf. Accessed 1 Dec. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
deaf
adjective1
: wholly or partly unable to hear
2
: unwilling to hear or listen
deaf to all suggestions
deafness
noun
Medical Definition
deaf
adjective
: having total or partial hearing loss
deaf adults
also
: of or relating to people who have total or partial hearing loss
deaf education
deafness
noun
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