ingrained

1 of 2

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-

ingrained

2 of 2

past tense and past participle of ingrain entry 1

Synonyms of ingrained

Adjective

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• essential

Examples of ingrained in a Sentence

Adjective

These attitudes are very deeply ingrained in the culture.

her deeply ingrained distrust of all authority

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Having been brought up within the Catholic religion, the season and all of those traditions are very much ingrained in me. — Wengel Gemu, Vanity Fair, 3 Nov. 2026

But California Institute of Technology neuroscientist Ian Anderson, who studies social media habits, says automatic behaviors can also just indicate an ingrained habit. — Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Oct. 2026

How can something so ingrained in Lexington society and lexicon remain so enigmatic? — Joey Skladany, Southern Living, 28 Sep. 2026

International film sales agents are pretty ingrained in the timelines of the market calendar. — Brian Welk, IndieWire, 8 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

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