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deaf person

deaf person

11 2.8
A person who cannot hear most sounds
  • noun
  • /dɛf ˈpɜrsən/
translation icon : persona sorda
  • Yes, the methods by which deaf people can now ably supplement and live functioning lives are extraordinary.
  • speech of deaf persons

But what would a deaf person who doesn't use hearing aids see?

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Examples

  • Sign language is mandatory if these deaf people are going to learn.

  • A deaf person may well bring with him or her a culture and history

    Academic text (1996)
  • How many deaf people are gonna come see our show ?

  • Three deaf people always come to see any show.

  • If you are talking to a deaf person and a hearing person, do not just focus on the hearing person.

    Academic text (2011)
  • Of course, the best way to learn is to hang out with deaf people.

    Blog text (9)
  • Most hearing people think that a deaf person, if given a chance, would rather be hearing than deaf.

  • One time I choreographed a dance about a deaf person going through the justice system.

  • DeafNation Expo is the foremost touring trade show for, by, and about deaf people.

    Blog text (16)
  • A deaf person often communicates using sign language, which helps bridge the gap with those who can hear.

Synonyms

deaf
vsdeaf person
4 2.3

People who cannot hear or have very bad hearing

is the singular, person-focused form rather than the general group term

How Deaf

profoundly deaf
  • Specialized
2 3.9
deaf person
11 2.8

Surface Forms

deaf person singular
deaf persons plural
deaf people plural

Morphology

deaf + person

The meaning 'a person who has severe or total hearing loss' is directly and compositionally derived from combining the adjective 'deaf' with the noun 'person'. This simple adjective+noun structure is cross-linguistically common and follows ordinary English composition, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily understand it.

Etymology

Deaf person comes from the word deaf, which means 'not able to hear', and person, meaning a human. So it gives the clear image of someone who cannot hear, and it means 'a person who cannot hear'.