What does indigo mean?
Indigo is a deep blue color with a slightly purplish quality, and it is also the name of a dye historically produced from plants. In modern use, it appears in descriptions of clothing, artwork, skies, lighting, and design, often suggesting richness, depth, and vividness. Indigo can refer either to the color itself or to the natural or synthetic dye used to create that color, particularly in textiles. The word may also denote plants cultivated for indigo production. As an adjective, indigo describes something of this distinctive blue shade; as a verb, it can mean to dye something with indigo, though this use is relatively uncommon. Its associations with traditional craft, natural dyes, and historical trade give it a somewhat literary and cultural character, while its exact hue remains more distinctive than the broad term blue.
A deep blue color, especially a rich, slightly purplish blue; also a blue dye made from plants or another material.
"The walls were painted a muted shade of indigo."
The color and the dye are closely related modern senses. The plant sense is more specialized and may be clarified by context.
Having the color of indigo; deep blue or dark blue.
"She wore an indigo blouse to the ceremony."
This use is common in literary, fashion, artistic, and descriptive contexts.
To color or dye something with indigo.
"The artisans dyed the linen indigo using a traditional vat."
The verb is relatively uncommon in contemporary English and is mainly used in craft, textile, and historical contexts.
The regular plural is used for multiple colors, dyes, or instances of the substance.
"The display included indigos ranging from nearly black to bright blue."
The word indigo points toward India, where the prized blue dye was historically cultivated and traded before becoming a global color.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does indigo come from?
The English word entered through French and Spanish from Latin indicum, the name of a blue dye associated with India; the Latin term derives from Greek indikon, meaning “Indian dye.” Its origin reflects the dye’s long history of cultivation and trade in the Indian subcontinent, from which the name spread into European languages.
Related word forms
How indigo is actually used
In contemporary English, indigo most commonly names the color or a textile dye. As an adjective, it is often more evocative than the general word blue, while as a verb it is relatively uncommon and chiefly refers to dyeing something with indigo.
Easily confused with indigo
Indigo is a color and dye, whereas indium is a chemical element named for the distinctive blue lines in its spectrum.