indigo

noun in·di·go \ ˈin-di-ˌgō \

|Updated on: 18 Jul 2018

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

See indigo defined for English-language learners

See indigo defined for kids

Recent Examples of indigo from the Web

These sheets come in six colors: white, fog, toast, blush, coal, and indigo.

— jacqueline wladis, Allure, "I Tried Parachute's Linen Sheets and They Totally Transformed My Sleep," 14 June 2018
Perfectly framed and photographed, its feathery fronds spreading in silhouette against a dark-indigo night sky, the tree hangs in the shot like a chandelier.

— manohla dargis, New York Times, "Review: ‘Gemini’ Finds Murder in a Movie-Soaked Los Angeles," 29 Mar. 2018
Pair lilac, lavender or violet with craft-paper tan, putty, ivory sage and indigo.

— putnam & putnam, Harper's BAZAAR, "Introducing: The Wedding Colors For Spring," 17 Jan. 2017
This special edition is the result of a partnership with Hawaiian Blue, artists who use the leaves of the Indigofera suffruticosa (indigo) plant.

— jill k. robinson, SFChronicle.com, "Essentials: Travel gear for exploring (and saving) the planet," 18 June 2018
The best blueberries are plump and sweet-tart with vibrant color that ranges from deep indigo to blue-black.

— ashleigh spitza, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "'Little blue dynamos,' blueberries pack in flavor and nutrients," 11 June 2018
Except this year Democratic enthusiasm was so high because of, like, everything, that the slates in those races filled with rarin’-to-go Dems representing every wavelength of blue from desaturated purple to deep indigo.

— adam rogers, WIRED, "Elections Don’t Work at All. You Can Blame the Math," 6 June 2018
The shirt, which is currently available for preorder and will ship at the end of July, only comes in one color combo so far: a bright blue tee with an indigo-checkered dress shirt.

— andrea park, Teen Vogue, "Balenciaga Releases the “T-Shirt Shirt” for $1,290," 29 May 2018
The sustainable fashion company introduced skirts in four different color ways: bone, black, light blue, and indigo rise while the shorts come in: dark blue, bone, black, and light blue.

— marina liao, Marie Claire, "Everlane Launches Denim Shorts and Skirts for the First Time—and They're just $58," 21 May 2018

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1555

in the meaning defined at sense 1a

See Words from the same year

INDIGO Defined for English Language Learners

indigo

noun

Definition of indigo for English Language Learners

: a deep purplish-blue color

INDIGO Defined for Kids

indigo

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

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)