ingrained

adjective

in·​grained ˈin-ˌgrānd  (ˌ)in-ˈgrānd 

variants or less commonly engrained

(ˌ)in-ˈgrānd 

1

: forming a part of the essence or inmost being : deep-seated

ingrained prejudice

2

: worked into the grain or fiber

ingrainedly

ˈin-ˌgrā-nəd-lē 

ˈin-ˌgrānd-lē

(ˌ)in-ˈgrā-nəd-lē 

-ˈgrānd-

adverb

or less commonly engrainedly

(ˌ)in-ˈgrā-nəd-lē 

-ˈgrānd-

Synonyms

• inherent
• intrinsic
• constitutional
• constitutive

Examples of ingrained in a Sentence

These attitudes are very deeply ingrained in the culture.

her deeply ingrained distrust of all authority

Recent Examples on the Web

The naturalness bias is deeply ingrained in Kennedy’s MAHA campaign, which aims to improve public health by returning to a more natural lifestyle. —Yasmin Tayag, The Atlantic, 11 Aug. 2025

But this is not the music of avoidance: Monroe’s real life and experiences are deeply ingrained in every track… even the sad Leonard Cohen cover. —Chris Willman, Variety, 9 Aug. 2025

When today’s students graduate using Google’s AI will be deeply ingrained, making a switch to a different ecosystem seem inefficient and foreign after their education journey. —Dan Fitzpatrick, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

By 1945, anti-Japanese prejudice was completely ingrained in the American psyche. —Paul L. Newman, New York Daily News, 6 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Rhymes for ingrained

• appertained
• ascertained
• entertained
• overstrained
• preordained
• unconstrained
• unexplained
• unrestrained
• abstained
• arraigned
• attained
• bloodstained

Kids Definition

ingrained

adjective

in·​grained ˈin-ˌgrānd  (ˈ)in-ˈgrānd 

1

: worked into the grain or fiber

2

: forming a part of the inmost being : deep-seated

ingrained attitudes