Indelible

mediumNeutral tone

in-DEL-ih-bul

adjective

Definition

Making marks that cannot be removed; unforgettable

Memory hook

IN-DELIBLE: cannot be DELETED — permanent marks that can never be erased.

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Word roots

innot(Latin)
delereto destroy/erase(Latin)

Learning roots unlocks whole word families. Study common GRE root words.

Examples

The tragedy left an indelible mark on her memory.
His indelible contributions shaped the field for generations.

Test yourself

Fill in the blank with the right word:

The tragedy left an ______ mark on her memory.
Show answer

indelible

Synonyms

permanentenduringunforgettableineffaceable

Antonyms

erasableforgettabletemporaryfleeting

Categories

View all Permanence words

GRE Tip

Indelible is a medium-difficulty GRE word. On the GRE, you might see it paired with synonyms like "permanent" or "enduring" in Sentence Equivalence questions. Look for contrast clues (however, despite, although) that signal the opposite meaning. Words like "erasable".

Read: How to Memorize GRE Words That Actually Stick

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