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 of ingrained

• inherent
• intrinsic
• integral
• essential

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

This is in contrast to Kalshi, which runs on traditional financial rails and is generally less ingrained in the crypto world. —Jack Kubinec, Fortune, 21 Apr. 2026

The Netflix series tackles the political climate soon after the end of the regime, when there was still an ingrained distrust in public institutions. —Rafa Sales Ross, Variety, 6 Apr. 2026

How to remove ingrained dirt from a wood floor? —Dan Simms, USA Today, 23 Mar. 2026

The story has become so ingrained in the imagination of Brazilians that even today, John Bosco is considered the capital’s patron saint, with both a chapel and a church named after him. —Sophia La Banca, JSTOR Daily, 11 Mar. 2026

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