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

That may not be too practical, given how ingrained social media is in our society. —Carina Woudenberg, Discover Magazine, 5 Nov. 2024

But perhaps no tradition became as ingrained as Día de los Muertos. —Jessica Boehm, Axios, 1 Nov. 2024

By staying focused and objective, mindful leaders evaluate impacts and assess risks and value without distortion from preconceptions or ingrained habits. —Expert Panel®, Forbes, 28 Oct. 2024

The term has become ingrained in pop culture too, with Saturday Night Live even making light of the phenomenon during a December 2022 skit with Keke Palmer, SZA, Cecily Strong, Ego Nwodim and Punkie Johnson. —Jordana Comiter, People.com, 13 Oct. 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