indigo

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noun in·di·go \ ˈin-di-ˌgō \

Definition of indigo

plural indigos or indigoes

1 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

2 :indigo plant

3 :a deep reddish blue

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Recent Examples of indigo from the Web

It was made with natural indigo, which added $125 to the price.

— jaclyn gallucci, Fortune, "This Is What You Get When You Spend $1,500 on a Pair of Jeans," 23 Aug. 2017
Two stories below the ice, U.S. Coast Guard diver Chuck Ashmore swam through a turquoise, indigo and white world that could kill him.

— carl prine, sandiegouniontribune.com, "Coast Guard icebreaker patrols the North Pole, solving mysteries and paying homage to the dead," 21 Aug. 2017
These walls are a really punchy indigo, and the backsplash tiles were custom-colored to our specifications in Morocco.

— caitlin kelly, House Beautiful, "This Isn't Your Typical Jersey Shore Vacation Home," 24 July 2017
Other nice birds noted along the trail included a common yellowthroat and indigo bunting in a sunny wetland, a white-breasted nuthatch foraging the loose bark of dead trees, and family groups of both Carolina chickadees and tufted titmice.

— taylor piephoff, charlotteobserver, "A varied serenade greets visitors to Huntersville nature preserve," 20 July 2017
The effect the Eastern indigo snake has on people is amazing.

— special to al.com, AL.com, "Auburn scientists release 26 of North America's longest snakes into forest," 19 July 2017
In May, Lord & Taylor stores showcased the newest items in the Ivanka Trump denim collection: a series of indigo, white and pink pants retailing for $79.

— drew harwell, Washington Post, "Ivanka Inc.," 14 July 2017
In May, Lord & Taylor stores showcased the newest items in the Ivanka Trump denim collection: a series of indigo, white and pink pants retailing for $79.

— courant.com, "Ivanka Trump Clothing Line Practices Are Out Of Step With Industry Trends," 14 July 2017
Gold accents, granite and marble countertops and a color palette of indigo blues, golds, grays and burnt orange pair with bulky, dark wooden tables to create a ski-lodge feel with European taste.

— madeleine winer, The Courier-Journal, "Tuscan lodge in Goshen pairs grandeur with comfort," 13 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'indigo.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of indigo

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

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First Known Use: 1555

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INDIGO Defined for English Language Learners

indigo

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noun

Definition of indigo for English Language Learners

: a deep purplish-blue color

INDIGO Defined for Kids

indigo

play

noun in·di·go \ ˈin-di-ˌgō \

Definition of indigo for Students

plural indigos or indigoes

1 :a blue dye made artificially or obtained especially formerly from plants ( indigo plants )

2 :a deep purplish blue

Medical Dictionary

indigo

play

noun in·di·go \ ˈin-di-ˌgō \

medical Definition of indigo

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

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See words that rhyme with indigo Spanish Central: Translation of indigo Nglish: Translation of indigo for Spanish speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about indigo

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indigo

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indigo

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indigo

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indigo

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