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

• built-in
• constitutional
• constitutive
• essential
• hardwired
• immanent
• inborn
• inbred
• indigenous
• ingrain
• inherent
• innate
• integral
• intrinsic
• native
• natural

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

And unlike in, say, a Marvel movie, corporate branding is already so deeply ingrained in the culture of F1 that seeing cars and driver apparel covered in logos adds to a movie’s authenticity rather than distracting from it. —Matt Craig, Forbes.com, 27 June 2025

But the rhetorical hostility is deeply ingrained in the regime. —Arash Azizi, The Atlantic, 25 June 2025

See a Traditional Water Puppet Show Water puppetry is deeply ingrained in Vietnam’s cultural heritage, going back as far as the 11th century. —Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 18 June 2025

But psychologists have found that wealthier people are significantly more likely to believe in nature over nurture, to think that traits are ingrained and immutable. —Alex Morris, Rolling Stone, 15 June 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