indigo
noun
in·di·go
ˈin-di-ˌgō 
plural indigos or indigoes
1
: a deep reddish blue
2
3
a
: a blue vat dye obtained from plants (such as indigo plants)
b
: the principal coloring matter C16H10N2O2 of natural indigo usually synthesized as a blue powder with a coppery luster
Examples of indigo in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
While the dye’s nature may soften and shift over time, the world’s fascination with indigo remains strong.
—
Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 14 Apr. 2025
There was a time when the wealthy would dress themselves in rich colors like indigo and purple.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Left behind, the plantation workers took up indigo and cotton production themselves.
—Tayari Jones, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2025
Choose from seven colors, including neutral tones like ash heather, khaki, and an indigo rinse in standard, long, and short sizes from 2 to 18.
—Toni Sutton, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indigo
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Sj Studio, Sourcing Journal, 14 Apr. 2025
There was a time when the wealthy would dress themselves in rich colors like indigo and purple.
—German Lopez, New York Times, 14 Apr. 2025
Left behind, the plantation workers took up indigo and cotton production themselves.
—Tayari Jones, Travel + Leisure, 14 Apr. 2025
Choose from seven colors, including neutral tones like ash heather, khaki, and an indigo rinse in standard, long, and short sizes from 2 to 18.
—Toni Sutton, People.com, 9 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for indigo
Cite this Entry
“Indigo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indigo. Accessed 1 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
indigo
noun
in·di·go
ˈin-di-ˌgō
plural indigos or indigoes
1
: a blue dye made artificially and formerly obtained from plants and especially indigo plants
2
: a deep reddish blue
Etymology
from an Italian dialect word indigo "a blue dye from indigo plants," from Latin indicum (same meaning), derived from Greek indikos (adjective) "of or relating to India"; so called because the plant dye was first widely produced in India
Medical Definition
indigo
noun
in·di·go
ˈin-di-ˌgō
plural indigos or indigoes
1
a
: a blue dye obtained from indigo plants (as Indigofera tinctoria of Africa and India, I. anil of South America, and I. auriculata of Arabia and Egypt)
b
: the principal coloring matter C16H10N2O2 of natural indigo usually synthesized as a blue powder with a coppery luster
called also indigotin
2
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