deafness

/ˈdefnəs/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈdefnəs/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈdef-nəs/ (ame, mw)

deafness — noun

1. a condition in which someone cannot hear at all or can hear only a little.

1.名詞B2
釋義

a condition in which someone cannot hear at all or can hear only a little.

例句

Faisal's deafness became worse after years near airport engines.

cause + worsening of hearing loss

The clinic checks newborns for deafness before families leave the hospital.

medical screening: check for deafness

同義詞
反義詞

文法句型

partial deafness

profound deafness

deafness in one ear

用法筆記

Usually uncountable. It is often modified by words showing degree or cause, such as partial, profound, or noise-related.

常見錯誤

❌The accident caused many deafnesses in the village.
✅The accident caused several cases of deafness in the village.
💡Deafness is usually treated as an uncountable condition, not a regular plural noun.

2. a refusal to listen to advice or warnings, or a failure to notice what should be

2.名詞C1
釋義

a refusal to listen to advice or warnings, or a failure to notice what should be obvious.

例句

The mayor's deafness to local warnings delayed the bridge repairs.

pattern: deafness to + warnings

The board's deafness to safety reports frightened the factory staff.

pattern: deafness to + reports

同義詞
  • disregard

    focuses on not giving something proper attention

  • indifference

    suggests a cooler lack of concern, not always active refusal

  • insensitivity

    often stresses failure to understand other people's needs or feelings

反義詞

文法句型

deafness to warnings

deafness to advice

show deafness to criticism

用法筆記

Usually appears in the pattern deafness to + noun, especially with warnings, complaints, or public concern. It is metaphorical, not about literal hearing loss.

常見錯誤

❌The board showed deafness the safety warnings.
✅The board showed deafness to the safety warnings.
💡This figurative sense normally takes deafness to + noun.