indelible

adjective

in·​del·​i·​ble in-ˈde-lə-bəl How to pronounce indelible (audio)
1
a
: that cannot be removed, washed away, or erased
b
: making marks that cannot easily be removed
an indelible pencil
2
a
: lasting
indelible memories
b
: unforgettable, memorable
an indelible performance
indelibility noun
indelibly adverb

Examples of indelible in a Sentence

But the most indelible evening of the rebellion for me was the night I had first got beaten. Amiri Baraka, The Autobiography of Leroi Jones, 1984
All wars change society and hence leave an indelible imprint on literary culture. Michiko Kakutani, New York Times Book Review, 15 Apr. 1984
The illustrator of children's books surpasses other artists in the impressionability of his audience; it is beyond calculation, no doubt, what touches will produce an indelible effect, when the receiving surface of a child's psyche is so soft and mysteriously laden and momentous with its own raw energy. John Updike, New York Times Book Review, 4 Dec. 1983
winning the state basketball championship was our team's most indelible experience
Recent Examples on the Web The Oppenheimer story is proof that the Cold War and its Red Scare left an indelible mark on this country, one whose consequences are still being felt. TIME, 8 Mar. 2024 The marches left an indelible mark on Sargent, though. Journal Sentinel, 4 Mar. 2024 Each home is a canvas, waiting for its owners to leave an indelible mark, with options ranging from the stately designs to homes exhibiting modern elegance. Prime Development, Kansas City Star, 3 Mar. 2024 The personal encounters and awe-inspiring technologies have left an indelible mark on my vision of the future. Sarwant Singh, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 The image atop the rubble became an indelible part of the 9/11 legacy, invoking resiliency and unity. Jennifer McLogan, CBS News, 5 Feb. 2024 Take it from my own experience—a pasta-making class in Italy led by a group of enterprising friends left an indelible mark on my heart. Nell Derick Debevoise, Forbes, 23 Feb. 2024 Amid the clamor of the modern media environment, a lot of events — even headlines that might seem indelible to those who do follow current events — simply wash over a large share of the population. David Lauter, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Perfect for strengthening bonds or sharing heartfelt moments, this game promises to leave an indelible mark on your connection. Micaela Arnett, Rolling Stone, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indelible.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English indelyble, from Medieval Latin indelibilis, alteration of Latin indelebilis, from in- + delēre to delete

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of indelible was in the 15th century

Dictionary Entries Near indelible

Cite this Entry

“Indelible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indelible. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

indelible

adjective
in·​del·​i·​ble in-ˈdel-ə-bəl How to pronounce indelible (audio)
1
: impossible to erase, remove, or blot out
an indelible impression
2
: making or leaving marks not easily erased
an indelible pencil
indelible ink
indelibly adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on indelible

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