indeed

American  

[in-deed] / ɪnˈdid /

adverb

1. in fact; in reality; in truth; truly (used for emphasis, to confirm and amplify a previous statement, to indicate a concession or admission, or, interrogatively, to obtain confirmation).

   Indeed, it did rain as hard as predicted. Did you indeed finish the work?

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interjection

1. (used as an expression of surprise, incredulity, irony, etc.).

   Indeed! I can scarcely believe it.

indeed British  

/ ɪnˈdiːd /

1. certainly; actually

   indeed, it may never happen

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adverb

1. (intensifier)

   that is indeed amazing

2. or rather; what is more

   a comfortable, indeed extremely wealthy family

interjection

1. an expression of doubt, surprise, etc

Etymology

Origin of indeed

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English; originally phrase in deed

Explanation

Use the word indeed to add emphasis to a statement. Think if it as another way to say: "That's right," or "Oh, yeah." Are you seriously going to eat that entire chocolate cake? Indeed, I am. Indeed originates from the phrase in dede meaning "in fact, in truth." When you use the word indeed, you are underscoring that something is true. The word is also used when you want to introduce a point that's even truer than the last one you made. "Yes, I passed the test, and indeed, got the highest score in the class." In other words, it's a polite way to say, "Take that!"

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

indeed

“Though we were told over and over when we were in the Soviet Union that the refuseniks wanted us there, indeed needed us there, I never fully understood the consequences until we got this news.”

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 25, 2026

In other words, the kind of crossover voters that Benitez-Thompson needs to win have become rare indeed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 23, 2026

I appreciate that your goal is to help others, and assure parents who are going through something similar that it does, indeed, get better.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 21, 2026

We now know that Zack Polanski does indeed have his own log-ins.

From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026

I didn’t know that then—nor, indeed, that there was any new future to prepare for in a life as humdrum and predictable as mine.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Related Words

• absolutely
• certainly
• easily
• naturally
• really
• surely
• truly
• undeniably
• undoubtedly
• very
• very much