ingrain

American  

[in-greyn, in-greyn] / ɪnˈgreɪn, ˈɪnˌgreɪn /

Also engrain

verb (used with object)

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

   Synonyms:

   imbue, inculcate, infuse

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adjective

1. ingrained; firmly fixed.

2. (of fiber or yarn) dyed in a raw state, before being woven or knitted.

3. made of fiber or yarn so dyed.

   ingrain fabric.

4. (of carpets) made of ingrain yarn and so woven as to show a different pattern on each side; reversible.

noun

1. yarn, wool, etc., dyed before manufacture.

2. an ingrain carpet.

ingrain British  

verb

1. to impress deeply on the mind or nature; instil

2. archaic to dye into the fibre of (a fabric)

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adjective

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

1. 1. a carpet made from ingrained yarn

   2. such yarn

Etymology

Origin of ingrain

First recorded in 1760–70; originally phrase (dyed) in grain (i.e., with kermes)

Explanation

To ingrain is to deeply and strongly establish something within a person, particularly a belief or habit. You may hate those daily algebra quizzes, but they ingrain a routine of reviewing some math every night. In the 14th century, this verb (originally spelled engrain) was used to mean "dye a fabric red with cochineal." It comes from the French en graine, where graine means "seed or berry," the source of a deep and permanent dye. To ingrain something is to fix it permanently, the way a great teacher ingrains good study habits in his students, or your distant friend's photo helps ingrain her face in your mind.

Example Sentences

Also, Kansas City Fed President Schmid said additional rate cuts could do more to ingrain higher inflation than shore up the labor market, Nugent adds.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 17, 2025

Regular discussions about privacy, safety and online ethics help ingrain these lessons.

From Salon • Oct. 21, 2024

He had to ingrain himself in the school and the Central District community, where the Rodriguez name still holds lots of weight.

From Seattle Times • May 17, 2024

Like any elementary school punishment, the instructions were meant to ingrain a point of view in young and aspiring artists.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 7, 2020

Afterwards, where there are any gold or silver flowers, take a piece of crimson ingrain velvet, rub the flowers with it, which will restore them to their original lustre.

From The Ladies' Book of Etiquette, and Manual of Politeness A Complete Hand Book for the Use of the Lady in Polite Society by Hartley, Florence

Related Words

• instill