deafen

Pronunciation

• IPA ^(key): /ˈdɛfən/

• Audio (UK)

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Verb

Plain form deafen

Third-person singular deafens

Past tense deafened

Past participle deafened

Present participle deafening

1. (transitive) If a sound deafens you, it is so loud that it makes you lose your hearing.

   The flash temporarily blinded him, and he was deafened by the roar.

   He was suddenly awakened by a deafening crash.

2. A deafening silence is failure to get a reply or reaction when one is needed or expected.

   My request for additional funds was met with a deafening silence.

Related words

• deaf