indelible

adjective

in·​del·​i·​ble in-ˈde-lə-bəl 

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

(ˌ)in-ˌde-lə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

indelibly

in-ˈde-lə-blē 

adverb

Synonyms

• memorable
• unforgettable

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

Despite this erasure, Martell left an indelible mark on many of country music’s contemporary stars, such as Mickey Guyton, Rissi Palmer, Ruby Falls, and Rhiannon Giddens. —Kimberly Bryant, Essence, 29 Mar. 2024

These genuine interactions left an indelible mark on my heart- as did Bhutan. —Shivani Vora, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024

Deadly shootings at bus stops and on buses leave indelible marks on communities. —Minnah Arshad, USA TODAY, 26 Mar. 2024

Millions of farmworkers went north on temporary visas between 1942 and 1964 under the bracero program, putting an indelible mark on U.S. agriculture. —Mary Beth Sheridan, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2024

Peter made an indelible mark first in business and then in baseball. —Kevin Dotson, CNN, 23 Mar. 2024

One of fashion’s foremost visionaries, Pierpaolo Piccioli has left an indelible mark on the industry. —Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024

As seen in video posted over the weekend, when the song spun up on the venue’s speakers, neither of them could contain their inner Whitney, with both actors singing along enthusiastically to the song’s indelible chorus. —Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 18 Mar. 2024

Her keen artistic vision, meticulous attention to detail, and ability to conceptualize intricate designs that seamlessly align with a director’s vision have left an indelible mark on our department. —Heide Janssen, Orange County Register, 17 Mar. 2024

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

Kids Definition

indelible

adjective

in·​del·​i·​ble in-ˈdel-ə-bəl 

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

-blē 

adverb