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

Verb

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

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

The idea that nuclear weapons have long attracted the interest of extraterrestrials is strongly ingrained within UFO mythology. —Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 28 Oct. 2025

In recent years, the concept of instant gratification has become ingrained in culture in numerous ways. —William Jones, Freep.com, 27 Oct. 2025

Noun

Head coach Lindsay Gottlieb trusts Burns to attack practice head-on to teach, develop and ingrain defensive principles when players arrive at University Park. —Benjamin Royer, Los Angeles Times, 19 Jan. 2025

This development promises to further ingrain bitcoin into the global financial system and support continued growth of the bitcoin network – and will forever change the way bitcoin is utilized as a part of an overall investment portfolio. —Dave Birnbaum, Forbes, 20 Oct. 2024

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