indigo

American  

[in-di-goh] / ˈɪn dɪˌgoʊ /

noun

plural

indigos, indigoes

1. a blue dye obtained from various plants, especially of the genus Indigofera, or manufactured synthetically.

2. indigo blue.

3. any of numerous hairy plants belonging to the genus Indigofera, of the legume family, having pinnate leaves and clusters of usually red or purple flowers.

4. a color ranging from a deep violet blue to a dark, grayish blue.

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adjective

1. Also called indigotic.  Also called indigo-blue,.  of the color indigo.

indigo British  

/ ˈɪndɪˌɡəʊ, ˌɪndɪˈɡɒtɪk /

noun

1. Also called: indigotin.  a blue vat dye originally obtained from plants but now made synthetically

2. any of various tropical plants of the leguminous genus Indigofera, such as the anil, that yield this dye Compare wild indigo

3. 1. any of a group of colours that have the same blue-violet hue; a spectral colour

   2. ( as adjective )

      an indigo carpet

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Other Word Forms

• indigotic adjective

Etymology

Origin of indigo

1545–55; < Spanish or Portuguese, variant of índico < Latin indicum < Greek indikón, noun use of neuter of Indikós Indic

Example Sentences

My eyes drifted to the woman, who wore a plain indigo tunic with knots, her graying hair drawn back in a tight bun.

From Literature

The name of Toast’s new collection, “A Shared Table,” was the catalyst behind Payawal’s picnic, and she was inspired by the brand’s indigo and tomato colorways and their relaxed, organic silhouettes.

From Los Angeles Times

Across the gold-leaf ground, horsemen of the avant-garde charge into the indigo ocean, firing arrows in pursuit of the fleeing Taira clan boats.

From The Wall Street Journal

I imagined a vitrine of the pigments used to achieve those “Gainsborough blues”—indigo, Prussian blue, ultramarine, azurite.

From The Wall Street Journal

I also found an indigo blue kimono to wear at an art event later this year.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• blue-green