# deafen

> English word · Verb · IPA /ˈdɛfən/

## Definitions
1. To make deaf, either temporarily or permanently.
2. To make soundproof.
3. To stun, as with noise.

## Etymology
From deaf + -en (verbal suffix), compare Middle English deven, deaven (“to make deaf”), Old English ādēafian (“to deafen”), Dutch verdoven (“to stupefy, deafen”), German betäuben (“to stun, stupefy, deafen”).

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/deafen