indigo

noun

in·​di·​go ˈin-di-ˌgō How to pronounce indigo (audio)
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 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 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'indigo.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of indigo was in 1555

Dictionary Entries Near indigo

Cite this Entry

“Indigo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indigo. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

indigo

noun
in·​di·​go ˈin-di-ˌgō How to pronounce indigo (audio)
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 How to pronounce indigo (audio)
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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