indelible

indelible — adjective

1. describes a physical mark or substance that stays on a surface permanently, resi

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a physical mark or substance that stays on a surface permanently, resisting any attempt to clean or rub it off.

Example

Asher used an indelible marker to label his camping gear before the trip.

attributive: indelible + marker

The red wine left an indelible stain on the white tablecloth.

Common collocations
  • indelible ink
  • indelible marker
  • indelible stain
  • indelible mark
Synonyms
  • permanent

    broader in meaning; can refer to any lasting state, not limited to physical marks

  • ineradicable

    more formal; suggests something deeply rooted and extremely hard to remove

Antonyms
  • erasable

    easy to rub off or delete from a surface

  • washable

    can be cleaned away with water or detergent

Grammar Patterns

indelible + noun

be + indelible

leave + an + indelible + mark/stain

Usage Note

Frequently used before a noun (attributive), but also works after linking verbs like 'be' or 'remain' in predicative position.

Common Mistakes

The marker is non-washable.
The marker uses indelible ink.
'indelible' is the standard adjective for permanent ink that cannot be removed.

2. describes a memory, impression, or effect that is so strong it stays in your min

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

describes a memory, impression, or effect that is so strong it stays in your mind permanently and cannot be forgotten.

Example

The trip to the Great Wall left an indelible impression on young Vivek.

collocation: leave an indelible impression

The sunrise from the mountain peak gave Sofia and her family an indelible memory.

Common collocations
  • indelible impression
  • indelible memory
  • indelible mark
  • indelible effect
Synonyms
  • unforgettable

    more frequent in everyday speech; focuses on the act of remembering

  • permanent

    broader; refers to any lasting change, not only memories

  • lasting

    less intense; simply continues for a long time

  • enduring

    suggests something remains despite challenges over time

Antonyms

Grammar Patterns

indelible + impression/memory/mark

leave + an + indelible + impression/memory

make + an + indelible + impression

Usage Note

Commonly combines with 'impression', 'memory', 'mark', or 'effect'. The person affected is typically introduced as the object of 'on' (e.g. 'left an indelible impression on her').

Common Mistakes

The story is indelible to me.
The story left an indelible impression on me.
'indelible' describes the impression or memory itself, not the person who experiences it.

Word family

  • indelibly
    adverbB2

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/2

All four words describe something that continues or stays, but they differ in intensity and typical use. 'Unforgettable' is the closest synonym for sense 2 and is more common in conversation — it focuses on the act of remembering (e.g., 'an unforgettable birthday party'). 'Permanent' is broader and more factual, describing a state that does not change, whether positive or negative ('permanent damage'). 'Lasting' is less intense — it means something endures for a long time but not necessarily forever ('a lasting friendship'). 'Enduring' suggests something survives hardship or time ('an enduring love of music'). For an experience that leaves a deep mental mark, 'indelible' and 'unforgettable' are the strongest choices: 'The visit to her childhood home was an unforgettable / indelible experience.'

unforgettable ↗permanent ↗lastingenduring

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • indelibly

Phrases

  • leave an indelible mark
  • make an indelible impression
  • leave an indelible stain

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

Comes from the Latin word 'indelibilis', where 'in-' means 'not' and 'delere' means 'to destroy, erase, or wipe out'. The word passed through French ('indélébile') before entering English in the 1500s. Its original meaning was purely physical — a mark that cannot be destroyed — but over time it also came to describe mental impressions that cannot be erased.