ingrained

UK: /ɪnˈgreɪnd/

US: /ɪnˈgreɪnd, ˈɪnˌgreɪnd/

US: (in grānd′, in′grānd′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•grained /ɪnˈgreɪnd, ˈɪnˌgreɪnd/  also engrained, adj. 

1. fixed deep in one's mind:
   ingrained superstition.
2. Textiles forced deeply into or through something, as through the grain or fiber of something:
   deeply ingrained dirt and stains.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•grained  (in grānd′, in′grānd′), adj. 

1. firmly fixed; deep-rooted;
   inveterate:
   ingrained superstition.
2. Textiles wrought into or through the grain or fiber.

Also, engrained. 

• ingrain + -ed² 1590–1600

in•grain•ed•ly  (in grā′nid lē, -grānd′-), adv.  in•grain′ed•ness, n. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ingrained, engrained / ɪnˈɡreɪnd/ adjective

1. deeply impressed or instilled
2. (prenominal) complete or inveterate; utter
3. (esp of dirt) worked into or through the fibre, grain, pores, etc

ingrainedly, engrainedly / ɪnˈɡreɪnɪdlɪ/ adverb

inˈgrainedness, enˈgrainedness noun

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

in•grain  (v. in grān′;adj., n. in′grān′), v.t. 

1. to implant or fix deeply and firmly, as in the nature or mind.

adj. 

2. ingrained;
   firmly fixed.
3. Textiles (of fiber or yarn) dyed in a raw state, before being woven or knitted.
4. Textiles made of fiber or yarn so dyed:
   ingrain fabric.
5. Textiles (of carpets) made of ingrain yarn and so woven as to show a different pattern on each side;
   reversible.

n. 

6. Textiles yarn, wool, etc., dyed before manufacture.
7. Textiles an ingrain carpet.

Also, engrain (for defs. 1, 2).

• origin, originally phrase (dyed) in grain (i.e., with kermes) 1760–70

Synonyms

• 1. infuse, inculcate, imbue.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

ingrain, engrain verb / ɪnˈɡreɪn/(transitive)

1. to impress deeply on the mind or nature; instil
2. to dye into the fibre of (a fabric)

adjective / ˈɪnˌɡreɪn/

1. variants of ingrained
2. (of woven or knitted articles, esp rugs and carpets) made of dyed yarn or of fibre that is dyed before being spun into yarn

noun / ˈɪnˌɡreɪn/

1. a carpet made from ingrained yarn

Etymology: 18th Century: from the phrase dyed in grain dyed with kermes through the fibre