indie

1 of 2

noun

in·​die ˈin-dē 

plural indies

1

: someone or something that is independent : someone or something that has no formal association with a larger controlling unit

Several indies [=independent booksellers] selling new books have opened in Pittsburgh since 2016 …

—Claire Kirch

especially : an unaffiliated record, movie, or video game production company

Due to the Mekons' long and labored difficulties with major labels, [Jon] Langford now works only handshake deals with the Chicago indies who have released his different projects.

—Mark Guarino

2

: a project or work (such as a movie or video game) produced by an indie

… an indie that is definitely worthy of a night out at the movies.

—Danny Minton

If you like fast-paced and challenging combat with a sizable helping of Greek mythology, [the game] Hades is … simply one of the best indies around.

—Rhys Wood

indie

2 of 2

adjective

1

a

: of, relating to, or being an independent company or group : relating to someone or something that is unaffiliated

She … has been signed to the indie [=independent] label Secretly Canadian since 2018 …

—Lauren Murphy

b

: being a project or work (such as a record, movie, or video game) produced by an independent company or group

the band's first indie album after leaving the label

an indie movie made on a tiny budget

Indie games are now competing with the big studios for awards.

—Zachary Sniderman

2

: of, relating to, or being music that is characterized by artistic freedom and regarded as more avant-garde or unconventional than mainstream music in a comparable genre

These kings of hummable … indie rock may firmly insist that they're not slackers, but a near-dadaist spontaneity rules their studio approach.

—Matt Diehl

… low-key indie pop that sounds both ingratiatingly familiar and slightly alien.

—Matthew Perpetua

Their sound—a graceful blend of indie folk and chamber pop—draws from classical traditions and Americana, infused with a gentle melancholy that lingers long after the final note.

—Cheryl A. Cuddahy

Examples of indie in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Over the decades, Rockwell tried his hand at a mix of projects—somber indies like sci-fi drama Moon (2009), studio awards contenders including The Green Mile (1999), and mainstream fare like Iron Man 2 (2010). — Savannah Walsh, Vanity Fair, 5 Nov. 2026

Cliff Booth — Quentin Tarantino’s follow to Once Upon a Time In Hollywood — starts a 27-day exclusive theatrical window November 29 on Imax and at indies, which can play it in standard format. — Jill Goldsmith, Deadline, 5 Nov. 2026

Adjective

For the indie-rocker, the record is about recognizing the face in the mirror and making peace with the eyes looking back at you. — Garret K. Woodward, Rolling Stone, 7 Nov. 2026

Led by singer-songwriter Jade Lilitri, the band closes out an indie-rock walkabout with a rediscovered passion for the head-banging pop punk that brought bristle to their earlier work. — Hattie Lindert, Pitchfork, 6 Nov. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

by shortening & alteration from independent

First Known Use

Noun

1928, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1927, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing indie

• indie folk
• indie pop
• indie rock

Rhymes for indie

• hindi
• lindy
• sindhi
• windy