indigo

noun

in·​di·​go ˈin-di-ˌgō How to pronounce indigo (audio)
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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The sky reminds Laurel less of Earth than of some gaseous planet, streams of indigo and violet and shocking pink, the setting sun layered between them. — ABC News, 31 Aug. 2026 These Levi’s flare jeans are so similar to the pair Brinkley wore, down to the indigo wash and subtle fading. — Mia Huelsbeck, PEOPLE, 31 Aug. 2026 Dyes such as indigo, for example, which colors your favorite blue jeans, are actually intended to fade and will do so throughout the life of the garment. — Madeline Buiano, Martha Stewart, 30 Aug. 2026 The sleek stovepipes in an indigo wash are already in our cart. — Kristina Rutkowski, Vogue, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for indigo

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

Phrases Containing indigo

Rhymes for indigo

See All Rhymes for indigo

Browse Nearby Words

indignity
indigo
indigo bird
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Indigo.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indigo. Accessed 2 Sep. 2026.

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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. suffruticosa of South America, and I. arrecta 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

More from Merriam-Webster on indigo

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about indigo

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