jeez

USAGE SUMMARY

The word 'jeez' is an informal expression used to express surprise, frustration, or annoyance.
While it is commonly used in spoken English, it is not considered a formal word and therefore may not be suitable for use in formal writing. However, it can be used in informal written communication, such as in text messages, emails, and social media posts. Example: "Jeez, I can't believe how much traffic there is today. We're going to be late for the movie."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

One huge trove of avoidance-words (Gosh, golly, goodness) avoids "God", and another (jeez, jeepers, jiminy cricket) spares Christianity's founder the offence of hearing his name profaned.Some think that such taboos cannot survive advancing secularisation in the West.

The Economist

Oh jeez, this guy.

Britannica

Oh, jeez.

The New York Times

"Jeez, if they gave Air Miles for liquor round here, there wouldn't be anybody left on the ground," she said.

Independent

And I thought to myself: "Jeez, there's no intensity about us.

Independent

As one savvy blogger notes: "Jeez, these thing's [sic] are like really so complex".

Independent

cuz I'm a woman I don't know about EDM right?" Calvin Harris, who told BBC Breakfast that he received album cuts, rather than any of Gaga's most famous songs, replied: "Jeez you turn down one remix in 2008 and next thing the whole world's on your back".

Independent

He came through a five- setter against Alexandr Dolgopolov on Saturday and after he went a set behind yesterday many will have thought, "Jeez, not again".

Independent

Click here to watch Owen on YouTube Michael Owen, gone at 33. Jeez.

Independent

"It's the society, they have these clinics, they have abortions, they don't have to tell their parents, the schools give out condoms, jeez, what does that tell you?" the father of one Lakewood boy, a sixteen-year-old who had just admitted to a juvenile-court petition charging him with lewd conduct with a ten-year-old girl, asked a television interviewer.

The New Yorker

"Jeez, that had nothing to do with this!" I cried.

The New Yorker

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "jeez" sparingly in writing to maintain a conversational tone. Overuse can make your writing sound overly informal or immature.

Common error

Avoid using "jeez" in formal essays, business reports, or academic papers. It's generally perceived as too casual for these settings. Instead, opt for more professional language.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "jeez" is as an interjection. It serves to express a spontaneous feeling or reaction, such as surprise, annoyance, or disbelief. Ludwig shows many examples where it stands alone or begins a sentence to convey an immediate emotional response.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

63%

Encyclopedias

3%

Science

34%

Less common in

Formal & Business

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

Jeez is a versatile interjection used to express a range of emotions, from surprise to annoyance. Ludwig AI classifies it as grammatically correct, although informal. With a very common frequency, it appears most often in News & Media. While acceptable in casual settings, avoid using "jeez" in formal contexts. Consider alternatives like "wow" or "good heavens" for a more appropriate tone. When writing, use it sparingly to maintain a conversational yet mature style.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

geez

A very similar expression, often used interchangeably with "jeez".

oh my god

A more direct exclamation of surprise or disbelief.

wow

A simple exclamation of surprise or amazement.

good heavens

A slightly more formal exclamation of surprise or shock.

good grief

An exclamation of dismay or exasperation.

gosh

A milder, often more polite, exclamation of surprise or frustration.

damn

A stronger exclamation of frustration or anger.

crikey

A British English exclamation of surprise or shock.

my goodness

A more formal way to express surprise or concern.

holy cow

An exclamation of surprise or amazement, often used in a lighthearted way.

FAQs

How do you use "jeez" in a sentence?

"Jeez" is typically used as an exclamation to express surprise, annoyance, or disbelief. For example: "Jeez, that was close!" or "Jeez, I forgot my keys again."

What's a good alternative to saying "jeez"?

Depending on the context, you could use alternatives such as "wow", "oh my god", "good heavens", or even a simple "oh!" to express a similar sentiment.

Is "geez" or "jeez" the correct spelling?

"Jeez" and "geez" are both used as interjections, but "jeez" is the more common spelling. Both are considered informal.

What's the difference between saying "jeez" and "damn"?

"Jeez" is a milder expression of surprise or frustration compared to "damn", which expresses stronger anger or disappointment. "Jeez" is also less likely to be considered offensive.