ingrain

1 of 3

verb

in·​grain (ˌ)in-ˈgrān 

variants or less commonly engrain

ingrained also engrained; ingraining also engraining; ingrains also engrains

transitive verb

: to work indelibly into the natural texture or mental or moral constitution

ingrain

2 of 3

adjective

in·​grain ˈin-ˌgrān 

1

a

: made of fiber that is dyed before being spun into yarn

b

: made of yarn that is dyed before being woven or knitted

2

: thoroughly worked in : innate

ingrain

3 of 3

noun

in·​grain ˈin-ˌgrān 

: innate quality or character

Synonyms of ingrain

Verb

• suffuse
• inculcate
• infuse
• inoculate
• imbue
• invest
• fill

Adjective

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• essential
• ingrained

Choose the Right Synonym for ingrain

infuse, suffuse, imbue, ingrain, inoculate, leaven mean to introduce one thing into another so as to affect it throughout.

infuse implies a pouring in of something that gives new life or significance.

new members infused enthusiasm into the club

suffuse implies a spreading through of something that gives an unusual color or quality.

a room suffused with light

imbue implies the introduction of a quality that fills and permeates the whole being.

imbue students with intellectual curiosity

ingrain, used only in the passive or past participle, suggests the deep implanting of a quality or trait.

clung to ingrained habits

inoculate implies an imbuing or implanting with a germinal idea and often suggests stealth or subtlety.

an electorate inoculated with dangerous ideas

leaven implies introducing something that enlivens, tempers, or markedly alters the total quality.

a serious play leavened with comic moments

Examples of ingrain in a Sentence

Verb

the journalism professor has long ingrained his students with a deep respect for their chosen profession

the third-world privation he had witnessed forever ingrained itself upon the young doctor's memory

Adjective

an ingrain skepticism that saves him from falling for every hoax that comes along

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In a world of constant disruption, long-term advantage goes to leaders who ingrain healthy habits and never negotiate them, regardless of circumstance. —Julian Hayes Ii, Forbes.com, 24 Jan. 2026

The standard shot of the set is ingrained in your memory and can be instantly recalled, but try to imagine physically entering that set through a different door and meandering around, without referencing the original image and triangulating where everything is supposed to be. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Jan. 2026

Noun

Despite the movie’s immediate and enduring success, Adams notes that radio still serves a key role in helping ingrain hits in the pop consciousness. —Gary Trust, Billboard, 31 Oct. 2025

Its aims were threefold: to teach kids social and emotional skills from kindergarten through fifth grade; give them mindfulness tools and breathing techniques to manage stress and setbacks; and ingrain good habits around diet and exercise as a passport to healthy lives. —Jack Korngold, Rolling Stone, 28 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Verb

circa 1641, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

1766, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1899, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ingrain

• abstain
• airplane
• alkane
• arcane
• arraign
• attain
• backplane
• betaine
• biplane
• blockchain
• butane
• campaign

Kids Definition

ingrain

1 of 2 verb

in·​grain (ˈ)in-ˈgrān 

: to work deeply into the texture of something or into the mental or moral nature of someone

ingrain young children with responsibility

ingrain

2 of 2 adjective

in·​grain ˈin-ˌgrān 

1

: made of fiber that is dyed before being spun into yarn

2

: made of yarn that is dyed before being woven or knitted

ingrain carpet