in·dex·i·cal
(ˌ)in-ˈdek-si-kəl 
1
: of or relating to an index
2
a
: varying in reference with the individual speaker
the indexical words I, here, now
b
: associated with or identifying an individual speaker
indexical features of speech
: an indexical word, sign, or feature
Examples of indexical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Emmanuel Iduma, ARTnews.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Then there are deictic or indexical gestures, which can happen either with or without vocal speech.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 19 June 2024
So these glimpses of color are both metaphors for things in life and small indexical signs of how Scully creates those illusions.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 27 May 2022
In both documentary and video journalism, the indexical power of cameras can be harnessed as weapons for truth and shine a light in the darkest of places.
—Sara Merican, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021
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Adjective
Though the technology powering photography has changed significantly—lighter weight cameras, DSLRs, Photoshop, sharper lenses, smartphones with front-facing cameras—its images are still indexical, traces of what is or has been there.
—Emmanuel Iduma, ARTnews.com, 21 Mar. 2025
Then there are deictic or indexical gestures, which can happen either with or without vocal speech.
—Popular Science Team, Popular Science, 19 June 2024
So these glimpses of color are both metaphors for things in life and small indexical signs of how Scully creates those illusions.
—Philip Kennicott, Washington Post, 27 May 2022
In both documentary and video journalism, the indexical power of cameras can be harnessed as weapons for truth and shine a light in the darkest of places.
—Sara Merican, Forbes, 24 Feb. 2021
Cite this Entry
“Indexical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/indexical. Accessed 31 Oct. 2025.
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