World Languages Lexicon
10 Language-to-English DictionariesDeaf
/dɛf/Comprehensive Definitions & Senses
2 senses- 1
Unable to hear, either completely or partially.
"She was born deaf and uses sign language to communicate."
- 1
A person who is unable to hear.
"The organization advocates for the rights of the deaf."
Thesaurus & Semantic Spectrum
Linguistic Origin & Historical Etymology
Derived from Middle English 'deaf', from Old English 'dēaf', meaning lacking the sense of hearing or sterile/unfruitful. It shares roots with Proto-Germanic '*dauhaz' (dull, slow, or deaf) and is cognate with Dutch 'doof' and German 'töb' or 'taub'. Historically, compound terms like 'deaf-and-dumb' were used to describe individuals who could neither hear nor speak, but these terms are now widely considered outdated and offensive, with 'deaf' or 'hard of hearing' being the preferred modern designations.
Which of the following is the closest synonym for "Deaf"?
10 Global Lexicons: How "Deaf" is said worldwide
Click any language below to open its dedicated Language to English dictionary page with native script & transliteration
sourd
Transliteration: sourd
"Elle est sourde et utilise la langue des signes."
taub
Transliteration: taub
"Er ist taub und kommuniziert mit Gebärdensprache."
sordo
Transliteration: sordo
"È sordo e usa la lingua dei segni."
sordo
Transliteration: sordo
"Es sordo y se comunica en lengua de señas."
surdo
Transliteration: surdo
"Ele é surdo e usa a língua de sinais."
बहरा
Transliteration: bahra
"वह बहरा है और इशारों की भाषा का उपयोग करता है।"
聋
Transliteration: lóng
"他是聋人，使用手语交流。"
귀머거리
Transliteration: gwimeogeori
"그는 귀머거리이며 수화를 사용합니다."
耳が聞こえない
Transliteration: mimi ga kikoenai
"彼は耳が聞こえず、手話を使います。"
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