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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
My Altadena friends survived but with invisible, likely indelible, scars. Essence, 15 Feb. 2025 The moniker is a nod to her late husband’s indelible spirit. Cara Lynn Shultz, People.com, 14 Feb. 2025 The catastrophic fires have left an indelible mark on our city, its residents, and our community. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 13 Feb. 2025 Janis overcomes significant obstacles – embezzlement, record industry misogyny, homophobia, and heartbreak – to find love and produce an indelible body of searingly honest songs that earned her a devoted following and critical acclaim. Matthew Carey, Deadline, 11 Feb. 2025 See all Example Sentences for indelible 

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 Feb. 2025.

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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