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

Yet, alcohol remains deeply ingrained in cultural traditions worldwide. —Jessica Dupuy, Forbes, 10 Jan. 2025

Shareholder primacy theory, the corporate governance theory that has become ingrained into societal norms, asserts that profit maximization on behalf of shareholders is the sole purpose of company management. —Aissa Dearing, JSTOR Daily, 9 Jan. 2025

The previous springtime tradition was so ingrained that last year, Gov. Wes Moore declared May 2 to be Maryland Film Festival Day. —Racquel Bazos, Baltimore Sun, 7 Jan. 2025

My late father listened to this album my entire childhood, so this is another one that’s ingrained into my core. —Liza Lentini, SPIN, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1599, in the meaning defined at sense 2

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