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
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Dred Scott v. Sandford (1857)
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
A Long Way Gone
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
Confirmation is meant to bring recipients closer to God and “imprints on the soul an indelible spiritual mark,” according to the Vatican’s official guide to its doctrine.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 19, 2026
The tourists left an indelible mark on the city, but now they have vanished.
From Barron's ● Aug. 18, 2026
“Wise beyond her years and already saddled with so much of a life, she left an indelible mark on me as a writer and a storyteller,” “Heroes” writer Bryan Fuller wrote on Instagram.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 17, 2026
Chandler flexes the charisma that made his “Friday Night Lights” father figure Coach Taylor such an indelible figure, while Pierre’s buttoned-down smolder slowly simmers the tension between them.
From Salon ● Aug. 14, 2026
But he didn’t assume that legacies are an indelible part of who we are.
From "Outliers" by Malcolm Gladwell
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.
