deafen
B1Neutral to Formal
Definition
Meaning
to make someone unable to hear, either temporarily or permanently, usually by a very loud sound.
To overwhelm someone with sound; also used figuratively to describe ignoring something deliberately (deafen oneself to).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a transitive verb. Can imply both a temporary effect (loud noise) and a permanent one (industrial injury). Often used in passive constructions.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant semantic differences. Both use the same verb forms (deafen, deafened, deafening).
Connotations
Identical connotations of excessive, overwhelming noise.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Someone/something] deafens [someone].[Someone] is deafened by [something].[Someone] deafens themselves to [something (figurative)].Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “deafening silence (an ironic or conspicuous lack of sound or response)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare, except in health & safety contexts: 'Prolonged exposure can deafen workers.'
Academic
Used in medical, audiological, or environmental science texts.
Everyday
Common for describing very loud events: 'The concert was so loud it deafened me.'
Technical
Used in audiology and occupational health.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The roar of the jet engines momentarily deafened the ground crew.
- He deafened himself to their criticisms.
American English
- The explosion from the fireworks deafened us for a few seconds.
- She deafened herself to the negative comments online.
adjective
British English
- The deafening sound of the machinery required ear protection.
- After the argument, a deafening silence filled the room.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The loud bang deafened me for a moment.
- Factories must protect workers from noises that could deafen them.
- The politician's evasive answer was met with a deafening silence from the press corps.
- She had long since deafened herself to the petty office gossip, focusing solely on her work.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
DEAF + EN. Think of adding 'EN' to the adjective 'DEAF' to mean 'to MAKE deaf'.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOUND IS A PHYSICAL FORCE (it can hit, assault, or deafen you).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'оглохнуть' (to become deaf) – 'deafen' is transitive/causative. 'Deafen' means 'лишить слуха' or 'оглушить'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'deaf' as a verb (e.g., 'The noise deaf me' – incorrect).
- Confusing 'deafen' (make deaf) with 'deaf' (unable to hear).
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'deafen' correctly?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is commonly used for temporary overwhelming of hearing (e.g., 'The noise deafened me for a second'). Context usually indicates permanence.
'Deaf' is primarily an adjective describing the state of not hearing. 'Deafen' is a verb meaning 'to cause to become deaf' or 'to overwhelm with sound'.
Yes, in the phrase 'deafen oneself to something', meaning to deliberately ignore or refuse to listen to something (e.g., criticism, advice).
The related noun is 'deafness'. The gerund 'deafening' is also used as a noun (e.g., 'the deafening was instantaneous') and more commonly as an adjective ('deafening noise').