indigo

noun

in·​di·​go ˈin-di-ˌgō 

plural indigos or indigoes

1

: a deep reddish blue

2

: indigo plant

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

Suspended in the water, the rock flour absorbs the shortest light waves — indigo and purple — and reflects back green and light blue. —Haley Nelson | , oregonlive, 8 Sep. 2023

Also, natural-dye manufacturer Stony Creek Colors of Springfield, Tennessee, contributes dye made from indigo that was grown by farmers who are transitioning out of tobacco production, replacing the synthetic indigo typically used to dye jeans. —Alison S. Cohn, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 July 2023

Formulated in Tokyo, the cleansing balm is enriched with Japanese indigo, a rich extract known for protective benefits. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 29 Aug. 2023

Colors like port burgundy, copper cream, and indigo are ideal for fall looks. —Kelsey Glennon, Travel + Leisure, 22 Sep. 2023

Choose from four different colors: vintage indigo, French blue, sky, and white. —Sharon Brandwein, Southern Living, 21 Sep. 2023

Over two days, Hockney worked to capture the exact hues of red and yellow in Styles’s striped cardigan, the indigo of his jeans, the string of pearls at his neck—not to mention the unmistakable tousled fringe of one of the world’s biggest pop stars. —Liam Hess, Vogue, 2 Aug. 2023

In fact, the brand wash-tested their jeans 50 times to ensure their durability, stretch recovery, and lasting indigo color for a 365-day guarantee. —Maverick Li, Men's Health, 22 Aug. 2023

In one guest bedroom, an exuberant scrolling red wallpaper covers the wall from floor to ceiling, complemented by a pair of Japanese indigo quilts. —Rachel Silva, ELLE Decor, 22 Aug. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Italian dialect, from Latin indicum, from Greek indikon, from neuter of indikos Indic, from Indos India

First Known Use

1555, in the meaning defined at sense 3a

Phrases Containing indigo

• indigo bunting
• indigo plant
• wild indigo
• indigo snake

• indigo bunting
• indigo plant
• wild indigo
• indigo snake

Kids 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

: indigo plant