indelible

adjective

in·​del·​i·​ble in-ˈde-lə-bəl How to pronounce indelible (audio)
Synonyms of indelible
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.
That event would leave an indelible mark on Gallagher, who spent his life researching the cult and its leaders, Marshall Applewhite and Bonnie Nettles. Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 12 June 2026 This month marks 10 years since the horrendous attack on the Pulse nightclub, which stole the lives of 49 people, wounded dozens more, and left indelible scars on survivors, families, friends and neighbors. David Kay, The Orlando Sentinel, 11 June 2026 But there was more to the classic police procedural than Morton Stevens’ indelible music. Louis Peitzman, Entertainment Weekly, 10 June 2026 But its center is the group’s founder and leader Maurice White, a complicated musical visionary who created some of the most indelible funk and pop gems while running the group with an iron fist and underpaying most of the other members. Jon Blistein, Rolling Stone, 6 June 2026 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indelible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indelible. Accessed 20 Jun. 2026.

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

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