Deaf: meaning, definitions and examples

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deaf

 

[ dษ›f ]

Adjective / Noun
Context #1 | Adjective

medical

Unable to hear or having impaired hearing.

Synonyms

hard of hearing, hearing-impaired.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deaf

Typically used to describe a person who has a significant loss of hearing. It can refer to those who were born without hearing or those who lost it later in life.

  • She was born deaf and communicates using sign language.
  • Many people in the Deaf community advocate for their rights and recognition.
hearing-impaired

An older term that is often considered less polite and more negative compared to 'hard of hearing' or 'deaf'. It suggests a deficiency rather than a condition.

  • The company provides services for hearing-impaired individuals.
  • Some people dislike the term 'hearing-impaired' and prefer 'hard of hearing' or 'deaf'.
hard of hearing

Describes individuals who have some degree of hearing loss but do not rely exclusively on sign language. It's a more polite and accurate term compared with 'hearing-impaired'.

  • He is hard of hearing, so please speak a bit louder.
  • Special devices can help those who are hard of hearing to better understand speech.

Examples of usage

  • She was born deaf and communicates using sign language.
  • He became deaf after a childhood illness.
Context #2 | Noun

medical

A person who is unable to hear or has impaired hearing.

Synonyms

deaf person, hearing-impaired person.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
deaf

Can sometimes be used in a metaphorical sense to imply someone is ignoring or not responding to a plea or advice.

  • His pleas for help fell on deaf ears
hearing-impaired person

A more formal and clinical term that describes someone with reduced ability to hear. This term is often used in medical or legal contexts.

  • The hearing-impaired person required special equipment during the interview
  • Laws to support hearing-impaired persons have been recently updated
deaf person

A respectful way to describe someone who has significant hearing loss. Often used to emphasize the person, rather than their condition.

  • The deaf person gave a talk about overcoming communication barriers

Examples of usage

  • The school for the deaf provides specialized education for students with hearing loss.
  • She learned sign language to communicate with her deaf grandmother.

Translations

Translations of the word "deaf" in other languages:

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡น surdo

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ เคฌเคนเคฐเคพ

๐Ÿ‡ฉ๐Ÿ‡ช taub

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ tuli

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ะณะปัƒั…ะธะน

๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑ gล‚uchy

๐Ÿ‡ฏ๐Ÿ‡ต ่พ

๐Ÿ‡ซ๐Ÿ‡ท sourd

๐Ÿ‡ช๐Ÿ‡ธ sordo

๐Ÿ‡น๐Ÿ‡ท saฤŸฤฑr

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ท ์ฒญ๊ฐ ์žฅ์• ์ธ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฆ ุฃุตู…

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ฟ hluchรฝ

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฐ hluchรฝ

๐Ÿ‡จ๐Ÿ‡ณ ่‹

๐Ÿ‡ธ๐Ÿ‡ฎ gluh

๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ธ heyrnarlaus

๐Ÿ‡ฐ๐Ÿ‡ฟ ัะฐาฃั‹ั€ะฐัƒ

๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ช แƒงแƒ แƒฃ

๐Ÿ‡ฆ๐Ÿ‡ฟ kar

๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ sordo

Etymology

The word 'deaf' comes from the Old English 'deaf', which is of Germanic origin. The term has been used for centuries to describe individuals with hearing loss or the inability to hear. Throughout history, deaf communities have developed unique forms of communication, such as sign language, to overcome barriers to traditional spoken language. Advances in technology, education, and awareness have improved the quality of life for many deaf individuals.

Word Frequency Rank

At #6,622 in frequency, this word belongs to advanced vocabulary. It's less common than core vocabulary but important for sophisticated expression.