French word

sourd

Pronunciation

IPA/suʁ/

Meaning

  • adjectivedeaf

Example

Après l'accident, il est devenu sourd.

After the accident, he became deaf.

Illustration for sourd (deaf)

More examples

Le bébé est né sourd.

The baby was born deaf.

Core concept

A blocked route for sound, from an ear that cannot hear to a noise that reaches the listener only faintly.

Common phrases

  • être sourd

    be deaf

  • sourd de naissance

    deaf from birth

Similar words

malentendant: Experiencing partial hearing loss that makes understanding sounds difficult.
dur d'oreille: Used informally for someone with reduced hearing.
muet: Unable or almost unable to make vocal sounds or use speech.

Definition in French

Qui est privé de l'ouïe ou, par extension, dont le son est étouffé et peu distinct.

Word origin

French sourd descends from Latin surdus through Old French sord and sourd, retaining the hearing sense and extending it to muffled or indistinct sound.

Usage tips

  • For partial hearing loss, malentendant or avoir du mal à entendre is often more precise than sourd, which can suggest complete deafness.

Other meanings

  • muffledadjective

Opposites

  • entendanthearingadjective

Related words

  • surditédeafnessnoun
  • sourdementdeaflyadverb

Word lists with this word