indelible
Americanadjective
-
making marks that cannot be erased, removed, or washed out.
indelible ink.
-
impossible to eliminate, forget, or change.
the indelible memories of war;
the indelible influence of a great teacher.
adjective
-
incapable of being erased or obliterated
-
making indelible marks
indelible ink
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of indelible
First recorded in 1520–30; from Medieval Latin indēlibilis; replacing indeleble, from Latin indēlēbilis “indestructible”; see in- 3, dele, -ble
Explanation
If something is indelible, you better hope you never regret it, like the indelible tattoo of the name of your favorite band or the indelible first impression it might give people you meet years from now, especially if your taste in music changes. The adjective indelible describes something that can't be erased or removed, like marks made by an indelible marker, or an indelible moment you will never forget, like your first day of kindergarten or the first time you visit a new, exotic place. It comes from the Latin word indelebilis, meaning "not able to be destroyed."
Vocabulary lists containing indelible
Just Mercy
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Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
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A Long Way Gone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Indelible as that sound was, it didn’t capture the full range of Nocentelli and his bandmates’ natural range as New Orleans players.
From Washington Post • Nov. 17, 2021
"Indelible in the Hippocampus: Writings From the Me Too Movement," edited by Shelly Oria and published by McSweeneys publishing, is on sale now.
From Salon • Sep. 22, 2019
"Indelible" is the only way to describe Viola Davis' Tony-winning turn as Rose in the 2010 Broadway revival of August Wilson's "Fences."
From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 9, 2016
Indelible but normally invisible, SmartWater can be painted onto valuable items or rigged as a spray to tag thieves or intruders.
From Time Magazine Archive
Indelible, our last clues to a beautiful woman.
From "Native Speaker" by Chang-rae Lee
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
