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ingrown

American  
[in-grohn] / ˈɪnˌgroʊn /

adjective

  1. having grown into the flesh.

    an ingrown toenail.

  2. grown within or inward.


ingrown British  
/ ˈɪnˌɡrəʊn, ɪnˈɡrəʊn /

adjective

  1. (esp of a toenail) grown abnormally into the flesh; covered by adjacent tissues

  2. grown within; native; innate

  3. excessively concerned with oneself, one's own particular group, etc

  4. ingrained

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of ingrown

First recorded in 1660–70; in- 1 + grown

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

My doctor said it may have been caused by an ingrown hair that became inflamed after collecting debris.

From Slate • Feb. 22, 2026

When I first meet Michael Ontkean in the film, he plays a doctor and I'm there because I've got an ingrown hair under my neck.

From Salon • Feb. 20, 2025

Fissures had formed in the 55-year-old Asian elephant’s foot pads, and her toenails had cracked and become ingrown.

From New York Times • Feb. 6, 2024

“Sometimes when I shaved, the wool uniform would irritate my skin and cause ingrown hairs or a rash,” he wrote.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 8, 2023

Florida, which was just an ingrown nub at America’s foot, barely there.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs

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