YOUR VOCABULARY, ONE WORD AT A TIME

indelible

Adjective

IPA /ɪnˈdeləbl/

Understand it. Say it. Use it.

UNDERSTAND THE WORD

Meaning in plain English

So powerful or lasting that it cannot be forgotten or easily removed from someone's memory or experience.

SAY IT ALOUD

Pronunciation

indelible/ɪnˈdeləbl/

PICTURE THE IDEA

See the meaning

Follow the idea

A stranger performs an unforgettable kindness
Many years pass
The memory remains vivid

An indelible impression lasts in memory and cannot easily be forgotten.

SEE IT IN EVERYDAY ENGLISH

Examples in context

Read the examples aloud. Notice how the word fits the sentence, then think of a situation of your own.

The kindness of that stranger left an indelible impression on me.
Her first successful experiment became an indelible memory of university life.

MAKE IT STICK

Quick word quiz

Try the question without looking back, then write a sentence of your own. You can retry as often as you like.

Can you recall the word?

Complete the example using the word from this lesson.

The kindness of that stranger left an ________ impression on me.

Show the answer

indelible — So powerful or lasting that it cannot be forgotten or easily removed from someone's memory or experience.

Try your own sentence (optional)

Make it yours

Write one sentence using “indelible” about your own life.

Your sentence (optional)

Check your sentence

Does your sentence match this meaning?

So powerful or lasting that it cannot be forgotten or easily removed from someone's memory or experience.

Compare: The kindness of that stranger left an indelible impression on me.

Check the spelling and how the word fits the sentence. Your example can be different.

Self-review only. Your sentence is not automatically marked, saved or submitted.

This quiz is for practice. To save lesson completion on this device, complete the checks in the app.

Word origin

From Latin indelebilis, meaning unable to be erased, through French or directly.

Did you know?

Indelible also describes a physical mark or ink that cannot easily be removed.

Explore related words

Open a word’s lesson when available, or explore entries that use the related term.

Make the word your own

Say the word aloud and read an example sentence.
Write a new sentence about something familiar to you.
Cover the meaning and try explaining the word in your own words.

Continue with the app’s practice check, then try a sentence of your own to mark this word complete.

Practise this word in the app

Completion and saved words stay in this browser on this device.