Skip to main content
indeed

indeed

146 1.0
To show surprise or doubt, often with irony
  • adverb
  • /ɪnˈdid/
  • Informal
translation icon : ¿en serio?
  • You love chocolate, and indeed, who doesn’t?
  • ironic indeed

Examples

  • That was a surprising twist, indeed!

  • Oh wow, yes, indeed, that gets me going.

  • As the title says, indeed, there it is.

  • And if this sounds very useful, indeed, it is.

  • Well, indeed, it makes a difference when you sleep on good sheets.

  • I have looked at it, and I do indeed find numerous errors in it.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Indeed, big companies have failed, and indeed empires have fallen.

  • Well, yes, indeed, there's a slight twist to the story.

  • Reports of its demise, indeed, seem to have been greatly exaggerated.

    Academic text (1995)
  • You have been very helpful indeed," he saluted her with a hypocritical smile and another golden handshake.

    Fiction book (1990)

Synonyms

huh
vsindeed
  • Informal
8.2

A short sound that shows you do not believe what someone said

is used for surprise or irony rather than only skeptical questioning
yeah
vsindeed
  • Informal
7.9

A reply that shows doubt or disbelief and often sounds sarcastic

is more neutral and can express surprise without sarcasm
what the hell
vsindeed
  • NSFW
347 8.9

An angry or surprised question showing you do not believe something

is often less crude and can also convey irony or skepticism
what the heck
vsindeed
  • Informal
90 8.9

A short cry to show surprise, confusion, disbelief, or casual acceptance

is used more widely to express surprise, skepticism, or irony
sheesh
vsindeed
  • Slang
22 9.8

A short word people say to show surprise, admiration, or annoyance

is more often skeptical or ironic rather than just strong feeling
oh really
vsindeed
13 7.4

Shows surprise or mild doubt about what someone just said

is used more widely and can carry stronger irony or skepticism
indeedy
vsindeed
  • Informal
5 9.9

To show strong agreement in a playful way

is often used for surprise, skepticism, or irony rather than affirmation
I dare say
vsindeed
  • UK
3 7.7

Said when you doubt what someone says, often ironically

tends to be used more broadly for surprise, skepticism, or irony
geesh
vsindeed
  • Informal
2 9.9

An informal word people say to show surprise, annoyance, or that they do not believe something

is used for surprise combined with skepticism or ironic comment
humph
vsindeed
  • Informal
1 9.9

A short sound showing doubt or annoyance

is less about annoyance and more about surprise, skepticism, or irony
the hell you say
vsindeed
  • Informal
9.9

A strong spoken reaction showing surprise and disbelief

is used more flexibly to show surprise, skepticism, or irony
by gummy
vsindeed
  • UK
9.9

A word you say to show surprise or strong feeling

is typically used for surprise mixed with skepticism or irony
soth
vsindeed
  • Archaic
9.9

A word said to show that something is true

is used to express surprise, skepticism, or irony rather than truth

How Surprised

indeed
  • Informal
146 1.0
oh really
13 7.4
oh
1.0
really
1.0

Surface Forms

indeed positive

Morphology

indeed = deed (opaque) = in + deed

This interjectional use is even further removed from the literal phrase 'in deed' and cannot be inferred compositionally by most learners. [Postprocessing: moved 'in' from base_words to prefix]

Etymology

The word indeed also comes from the old parts in- + deed, meaning 'in fact', and people began to use it alone as a short reply. A helpful way to remember this is to think of saying 'in fact!' with surprise or irony, which is why indeed can show surprise or doubt.