indelible

USAGE SUMMARY

'indelible' is a correct and usable word in written English.
It can be used to describe something that is permanent or cannot be forgotten. For example, "The time I spent with my grandmother created an indelible memory in my heart."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Encyclopedias

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

That is why the defeat at Edgbaston was dramatic, telling and, ultimately, left an indelible mark on the captain's CV.

The Guardian - Sport

As to London, which I visited for the first time, the big city made an indelible impression on my mind.

The Guardian - Books

Had Brody detonated his suicide vest and killed the vice president, the show would have been an indelible, beautifully finite piece of television.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

It is regrettable that Maupassant should be known less for indelible moments like this, and more for the twist or "trick" ending of "The Necklace" (1884), the final line of which arrives with the boom-tish of a club comedian's punchline.

The Guardian - Books

Residents of this Dallas suburb are hurt and angry that outsiders have been allowed to come in and leave an indelible and distressing mark on their city.

The Guardian

Warhol, so often seen as a heartless observer of celebrity and sleaze, carefully chose it and turned it into a print to make that evidence permanent, indelible, unforgettable.

The Guardian - Arts

No, I want a book to kick the living daylights out of me and leave an indelible stain upon my psyche.

The Guardian

In fact, 300 has made such an indelible mark on popular culture that the inevitable sequel is just around the corner.

The Guardian - Film

It will be an indelible event in the minds of Hibernian, too, much as they would love to expunge it.

The Guardian - Sport

Threats to cut off fingers marked with the indelible ink used to prevent double voting turned out to be almost entirely baseless.

The Economist

Now these indelible artworks can be found on one in five adults in America.

The Economist

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "indelible" to describe lasting impacts or memories. For example, "The visit left an "indelible" impression on her."

Common error

Avoid using "indelible" to describe something that is easily changed or temporary. "Indelible" signifies permanence; using it for fleeting moments weakens its impact.

Linguistic Context

The primary grammatical function of "indelible" is as an adjective. It modifies nouns to describe qualities that are impossible to remove, forget, or change. Ludwig provides examples where "indelible" modifies nouns like "mark", "impression", and "stain", indicating its descriptive role.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

58%

Encyclopedias

10%

Science

8%

Less common in

Formal & Business

4%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "indelible" is a commonly used adjective that describes something permanent and impossible to forget. As Ludwig AI points out, this term is grammatically correct and effective in conveying lasting impacts or memories. While it's frequently found in News & Media, Encyclopedias, and Science contexts, writers should avoid misusing it for temporary effects. Alternatives like "permanent" or "unforgettable" can be considered for nuanced meanings, but "indelible" provides a powerful way to emphasize the unchangeable nature of something.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

unerasable

Directly conveys the impossibility of erasing or removing, mirroring one aspect of "indelible" meaning.

permanent

Focuses on the lasting nature of something, similar to "indelible" in its sense of being fixed or unchangeable.

unforgettable

Highlights the memorable quality, emphasizing that something is difficult to forget, much like an "indelible" impression.

lasting

Indicates a long-term effect or impact, aligning with the enduring quality of something "indelible".

ineradicable

Stresses the impossibility of removing or erasing something, akin to the resistant nature of an "indelible" mark.

enduring

Implies a long-lasting presence or effect, resonating with the persistent quality of something "indelible".

deep-seated

Refers to something firmly established and difficult to change, similar to an "indelible" belief or habit.

etched in memory

Emphasizes the strength and clarity of a memory, much like an "indelible" experience.

fixed

Highlights the unchangeable quality of something, related to the permanent nature of "indelible".

ingrained

Indicates something deeply embedded and difficult to remove, comparable to an "indelible" characteristic.

FAQs

How can I use "indelible" in a sentence?

"Indelible" is typically used to describe something that leaves a lasting and unchangeable impression. For example, "The war left an "indelible" mark on the country."

What's the difference between "indelible" and "unforgettable"?

"Indelible" suggests something that cannot be removed or forgotten, emphasizing permanence. "Unforgettable" simply means it's hard to forget, but doesn't necessarily imply permanence.

What can I say instead of "indelible"?

You can use alternatives like "permanent", "lasting", or "unerasable" depending on the specific context.

Is it correct to say something is "very indelible"?

While grammatically correct, using intensifiers like "very" with "indelible" is redundant. "Indelible" already implies an unchangeable quality, so avoid phrases like "very indelible".