indeed

indeed — adverb

1. used to add force to a statement, either by intensifying an adjective after 'ver

1.adverbB1
Definition

used to add force to a statement, either by intensifying an adjective after 'very' or by stressing that something is certainly true — for example, saying that a winter was 'very cold indeed', or that a colleague is 'indeed a talented engineer'.

Example

The winter in Hokkaido was very cold indeed, so Minho wore two coats every day.

pattern: very + cold + indeed after 'be'

It is indeed a great honour to receive this award from the University of Tokyo.

pattern: indeed before a noun phrase with 'a'

Common collocations
  • very much indeed
  • very ... indeed
  • indeed a ...
Synonyms
  • certainly

    more natural in everyday speech; works in more sentence positions

  • truly

    more emotional and personal; common with feelings ('truly grateful')

  • undeniably

    more formal; suggests the fact is impossible to dispute

Grammar Patterns

be + very + adjective + indeed

subject + be + indeed + noun_phrase / complement

it + be + indeed + noun_phrase + to-infinitive

Usage Note

In the 'very + adjective + indeed' pattern, 'indeed' must come immediately after the adjective ('very cold indeed', NOT 'indeed very cold'). Without 'very', 'indeed' follows the verb 'be' ('He is indeed a gentleman').

Common Mistakes

I indeed like this movie.
I do indeed like this movie.
When 'indeed' emphasises a main verb that is not 'be', you need an auxiliary verb ('do/does/did/have') before 'indeed'.
The weather indeed is cold this morning.
The weather is indeed cold this morning.
'Indeed' follows the verb 'be', it does not come between the subject and the verb.

2. used to agree that something someone has asked or said is correct — for example,

2.adverbB1
Definition

used to agree that something someone has asked or said is correct — for example, replying 'Yes, indeed I did' when asked whether you finished the report, or saying 'It is indeed' to confirm an address.

Example

'Did Mateo remember to bring the camping gear?' 'Yes, indeed he did — he packed everything last night.'

pattern: 'Yes, indeed + subject + did' in answer to a yes-no question

'Is the entrance on the left?' 'It is indeed. Look for the glass door.'

pattern: 'it is indeed' as a short confirming reply

Common collocations
  • yes indeed
  • indeed ... do
  • indeed ... have
Synonyms
  • yes

    simpler and more direct; 'indeed' adds a formal or emphatic tone

  • of course

    implies the answer is obvious; stronger and more conversational

  • absolutely

    more forceful and enthusiastic than 'indeed'

Grammar Patterns

Yes, indeed + subject + auxiliary_verb

Indeed + subject + auxiliary_verb

subject + be + indeed

Usage Note

When confirming a question, the auxiliary verb must match the one used in the question ('Did he? → Indeed he did'; 'Has she? → Indeed she has'). In very informal speech, the auxiliary can be dropped ('Indeed!' alone), but this may sound abrupt.

Common Mistakes

Are you coming to the party?' 'Indeed.
Are you coming to the party?' 'Yes, indeed I am.
A bare 'Indeed' as a reply can sound rude or oddly formal; pair it with 'Yes' and an auxiliary verb for a natural response.

3. used to introduce additional information that reinforces or extends a previous p

3.adverbB2
Definition

used to introduce additional information that reinforces or extends a previous point, often by presenting a stronger or more precise fact — for example, saying a new policy saved money and then adding 'Indeed, it cut costs by half.'

Example

The new software saved the team hours of work. Indeed, it cut their data processing time in half.

sentence-initial 'indeed' adding a stronger supporting fact

Ayesha is widely admired for her generosity. Indeed, she has donated thousands of pounds to community projects across London.

Common collocations
  • indeed, ...
Synonyms
  • in fact

    more natural in spoken English; carries the same elaborating function

  • what is more

    adds an extra point but is weaker than 'indeed' in intensity

  • as a matter of fact

    more conversational and slightly informal compared to 'indeed'

Grammar Patterns

[statement]. Indeed, + [stronger / more specific statement]

Usage Note

This use of 'indeed' is more common in formal writing and speeches than in casual conversation. In everyday speech, 'in fact' or 'actually' often replace it. 'Indeed' at the start of a sentence is always followed by a comma.

Common Mistakes

I like coffee. Indeed, I drink it every morning.
I like coffee. In fact, I drink it every morning.
'Indeed' sounds too formal for a simple everyday statement; use 'in fact' or 'actually' for casual elaboration.
The restaurant was good. Indeed it was very good.
The restaurant was good. Indeed, it was excellent.
'Indeed' should lead to a clearly stronger or more specific point, not a mild restatement.
Idioms

a friend in need (is a friend indeed)

idiom

A person who helps you during difficult times is a real friend.

When Maya lost her job, her neighbor helped her find a new one.

Did Brian help you move last weekend? That's a friend in need.

indeed — exclamation

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: adverb/1

All four words can emphasise a statement, but they differ in position and tone. 'Certainly' is the most flexible — it can start a sentence ('Certainly, I will help'), sit after the subject ('I certainly will'), or come before an adjective ('It is certainly cold'). 'Definitely' removes all doubt and fits both speech and writing ('That is definitely the right answer'). 'Truly' is more emotional and is best with feelings ('I am truly sorry'). 'Undoubtedly' is the most formal, common in academic or professional contexts ('This is undoubtedly the best method'). 'Indeed' is more restricted: it follows 'very + adjective' ('very cold indeed') or appears after 'be' in formal statements ('It is indeed a pleasure'). Compare: 'The food was certainly good' (natural), 'The food was definitely good' (emphatic), but ❌ 'The food was indeed good' (unnatural — 'indeed' needs 'very': 'The food was very good indeed').

certainly ↗definitely ↗truly ↗undoubtedly ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • very much indeed

Phrases

  • yes indeed
  • very ... indeed
  • indeed ... do / does / did / have / has

Etymology

Old EnglishMiddle EnglishEnglish

The word 'indeed' comes from the Middle English phrase 'in dede', meaning 'in fact' or 'in action'. The noun 'dede' (modern English 'deed') originally meant 'an act' or 'something done'. By the late 14th century, the phrase had fused into a single word used to confirm the truth of a statement. The sense of adding emphasis ('very cold indeed') developed later, in the 16th century.