Word
deafness
Phoneticsdeaf·ness, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈdɛfnəs/
UK/dˈɛfnəs/
Medicine
Definition
n. the loss of hearing, either in one ear or both. It can be a permanent condition or it can happen suddenly.
n. the state of being unable to hear, either partially or completely. Often used to describe a permanent or long-term condition rather than a temporary state.
Examples
“The doctor checked for any signs of hearing loss or deafness.”
“Sudden deafness can be caused by a viral infection or a physical injury to the inner ear.”
“While some forms of deafness are congenital, others develop later in life due to prolonged exposure to loud noises or certain medical conditions.”
Examples
simple
“The doctor checked for any signs of hearing loss or deafness.”
contextual
“Sudden deafness can be caused by a viral infection or a physical injury to the inner ear.”
complex
“While some forms of deafness are congenital, others develop later in life due to prolonged exposure to loud noises or certain medical conditions.”
Etymology
From Middle English deefnesse; equivalent to deaf + -ness.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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englishreference.com/q/deafness