indigo

noun

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in·di·go | \ ˈin-di-ˌgō

plural indigos or indigoes

Definition of indigo

1 : a deep reddish blue

2 : indigo plant

3a : 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

Example Sentences Phrases Containing indigo Learn More About indigo

Examples of indigo in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The sleek tube’s flashy silver logo pops beautifully against the raw denim fabric; a dark indigo in perfect harmony with both Dior’s signature navy blue and Y2K’s leaning towards inky blue washes. — Lauren Valenti, Vogue, 14 Apr. 2022 The Gullah Geechee are descendants of the African enslaved people brought over to work the rice, indigo and cotton plantations off the coasts of South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. — Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2022 This pair features a tapered leg and is made of crisp organic cotton that requires less water to produce, and is available in three indigo colorways and cream. — Danielle Directo-meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 Mar. 2022 News that a 7-foot-7 indigo was found is being celebrated on Facebook by the North American Field Herping Association, with commenters marveling at its length and begging for the exact location to be kept secret. — al, 20 Feb. 2022 New York City dermatologist Diane Madfes, M.D., adds that certain calming formulas, like Tatcha’s Indigo Butter, which is packed with restorative botanicals like Japanese indigo, can also be helpful for soothing sensitive skin. — Lauren Dana, Glamour, 15 Feb. 2022 The blue thread used would be typical of Native American or prairie settlers at the time, both of whom used indigo to dye thread a deep midnight blue. — oregonlive, 5 Feb. 2022 Sustainably made collars in shades blush and indigo are soon to become welcome additions to Whisky and Coco’s style repertoire. — Bianca Salonga, Forbes, 25 Dec. 2021 Twenty-nine tea varieties, including one infused with whole butterfly-pea flowers that turn the liquid a psychedelic indigo? — David Kortava, The New Yorker, 17 Dec. 2021 See More

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.

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Dictionary Entries Near indigo

indignity

indigo

indigo bird

Statistics for indigo

Last Updated

17 May 2022

Cite this Entry

“Indigo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indigo. Accessed 24 May. 2022.

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More Definitions for indigo

indigo

noun

in·di·go | \ ˈin-di-ˌgō

plural indigos or indigoes

Kids Definition of indigo

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

2 : a deep purplish blue

indigo

noun

in·di·go | \ ˈin-di-ˌgō

plural indigos or indigoes

Medical Definition of indigo

1a : 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