Ingrained
/ɪnˈɡreɪnd/
Definitions
2 meaningsForming a deep and firm part of someone or something.
/ɪnˈɡreɪnd/
Firmly fixed or established; difficult to change or remove.
His fear of heights was ingrained from a childhood accident.
💡 Simply: Imagine a habit you have that's so strong it feels like it's part of you, like always brushing your teeth before bed. It's something that's ingrained!
👶 For kids: When something is ingrained, it means it's stuck in you or in something else really, really well. Like, if you always eat pizza on Fridays, that's ingrained!
More Examples
Cultural traditions are often ingrained in a society's way of life.
The importance of education is ingrained in their family's values.
How It's Used
"The therapist helped the patient overcome ingrained negative thought patterns."
"Ingrained social inequalities persist despite legal reforms."
Imprinted or dyed deeply into the material.
/ɪnˈɡreɪnd/
Imprinted or dyed deeply.
The color was ingrained into the fibers of the fabric.
💡 Simply: Imagine a permanent marker – once you write with it, the mark is ingrained in the paper and can’t be easily erased.
👶 For kids: If you use a pen to write on your hand and it doesn't come off easily, the color is ingrained!
More Examples
The craftsman used a technique to make the pattern ingrained in the wood.
After years of exposure, the dirt was ingrained in the carpet.
How It's Used
"The fabric had an ingrained pattern that wouldn't fade with washing."
"The artist used a technique to make the color ingrained in the wood."
Synonyms
From 'in' (in) + 'grain' (the texture of wood or other material), originally referring to something firmly fixed or dyed into the grain of wood. Over time it took on the figurative meaning of something deeply embedded.
Historically, the word was used in reference to materials like wood or fabric where colors or patterns were embedded.
Memory tip
Imagine a deep engraving on a stone - hard to erase, representing something ingrained.