deaf
n.n. unable to hear anything, or unable to hear very well. You can also use it to describe a person who belongs to a community of people who use sign language.
n. lacking the power of hearing or having a severe hearing impairment. When capitalized, it refers to the community of people who share a language and culture based on signing.
He has been deaf since he was a small child.
The theater provides special headsets for people who are hard of hearing or deaf.
Advocates for the community argue that being Deaf is a cultural identity rather than a medical disability, centered on the use of sign language.
From Middle English def, deef, from Old English dēaf, from Proto-West Germanic daub, from Proto-Germanic daubaz, from Proto-Indo-European *dʰewbʰ- (“to whisk, smoke, darken, obscure”). Cognate with Ancient Greek τυφλός (tuphlós, “blind”). See also dumb. Doublet of daff, dof, and dowf.
Often used with the definite article ('the deaf') to refer to the group, though 'deaf people' is now preferred in many contexts.
He is a deaf.He is deaf.Deaf is an adjective, not a noun; it should not be used with an article to describe an individual.