deed

[ deed ]

noun

1. something that is done, performed, or accomplished; an act:

   Do a good deed every day.

2. an exploit or achievement; feat:

   brave deeds.

3. Often deeds. an act or gesture, especially as illustrative of intentions, one's character, or the like:

   Her deeds speak for themselves.

4. Law. a writing or document executed under seal and delivered to effect a conveyance, especially of real estate.

verb (used with object)

1. to convey or transfer by deed.

deed

/ diːd /

noun

1. something that is done or performed; act
2. a notable achievement; feat; exploit
3. action or performance, as opposed to words
4. law a formal legal document signed, witnessed, and delivered to effect a conveyance or transfer of property or to create a legal obligation or contract

verb

1. tr to convey or transfer (property) by deed

Other Words From

• deedless adjective
• re·deed verb (used with object)
• un·deeded adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of deed¹

before 900; Middle English dede, Old English dēd, variant of dǣd; cognate with German Tat, Gothic gadēths; do ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of deed¹

Old English dēd; related to Old High German tāt, Gothic gadeths; see do ¹

Synonym Study

See action.

Example Sentences

“The adults brought this child along to do a bad deed, and let her suffer all the consequences.”

From BBC

President-elect Trump, though he had been in office before and committed a host of previously disqualifying crimes and deeds, represented the ultimate change.

From Los Angeles Times

Yet he has managed to turn those normally disqualifying deeds on their head, positioning himself with about half the electorate as the ultimate change agent for a system that he paints as corrupt.

From Los Angeles Times

And that means being prepared to hold anyone accountable for their words and deeds.

From Salon

She and one of her sisters try to do a charitable deed each day in memory of their father.

From BBC

Related Words

• accomplishment
• act
• action
• adventure
• fact
• feat
• reality
• truth