adjective

deaf

deaf

My grandfather is a little deaf.

My grandfather is a little deaf.

She is deaf to our advice.

She is deaf to our advice.

((to be deaf)) to be unable to hear He is deaf in one ear.

((to be deaf to sth.)) to be unwilling to listen to (sth.) They were deaf to our pleas.

Synonyms: hard of hearing; Antonyms: hearing

From Old English 'dēaf'. Its origin is uncertain but related to words meaning 'dull' or 'stupid' in other Germanic languages, reflecting old misconceptions.

The 'ea' sound is like in 'hear', but the 'f' at the end stops the sound, like not being able to hear.

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