indies

n. companies, especially in music, film, or video games, that are not part of a large corporation.

n. independent companies or artists, particularly within the entertainment industry, operating outside the major studio or label systems.

“Many gamers prefer indies because they often have more creative and unique ideas.”

“The rise of digital distribution platforms has allowed indies to compete more effectively with major publishers for market share.”

Informal

n. a name used in the past for regions like the Caribbean (West Indies) or Southeast Asia (East Indies).

n. a historical geographical term referring to the East Indies (South and Southeast Asia) or the West Indies (the Caribbean).

“In the 1700s, many ships sailed to the Indies to trade for spices and silk.”

“The colonial powers established vast trade networks connecting Europe to the wealth of the East Indies during the seventeenth century.”

Archaic

n. films or music albums produced by small, independent companies.

n. cultural products, such as films, records, or publications, produced by independent companies.

“The local cinema only shows indies and foreign language films.”

“The festival is a celebrated showcase for low-budget indies that might otherwise struggle to find a mainstream audience.”

Informal