indelible
in-DELL-ih-bul
/ɪnˈdɛləbl/
Making marks that cannot be removed; not able to be forgotten or removed.
Can refer to physical ink or metaphorical memories and impressions. It often carries a sense of deep impact.
The story behind the word. The root 'delere' is the same one that gives us 'delete.' In ancient times, it referred to scraping writing off a wax tablet. An 'indelible' mark was one that was stained into the material so deeply that no amount of scraping could remove it.
Word relationships
- ineradicable: Ineradicable specifically means something cannot be 'rooted out' or destroyed.
- unforgettable: Unforgettable is simpler and focuses purely on memory, while indelible implies a physical or structural change.
- erasable: Erasable describes something that can be removed without leaving a trace.
- fleeting: Fleeting describes something that passes very quickly and leaves little impact.
Commonly confused with
- permanent: Permanent is a general term for lasting; indelible specifically implies that it cannot be washed or rubbed away.
Word family
- indelibly (adverb): In a way that cannot be removed.
Collocations
- indelible ink
- indelible mark
- indelible impression
- indelible memory
Example sentences
- "The witness's testimony left an indelible impression on the jury, making it impossible for them to consider any other verdict." Personal Memory
- "The images of the disaster left an indelible mark on the national consciousness." Journalism
Memory hook
Think of 'in-delete-able'—it cannot be deleted. Indelible = In- (not) + Delete-able.
When not to use
Don't use it for things that are simply 'long-lasting'; it must be something that is effectively permanent and un-erasable.
Fun facts
- Indelible ink is used in many countries during elections to mark the fingers of voters to prevent double-voting.
Related words
Explore more words
imprint, irrevocable, make an impression, ingrained, inscribe, inevitable
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