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)

Example Sentences

There are some communities where death is ingrained in the everyday texture of life.

From BBC

That century-old pact and the ingrained system of water rights, combined with water that costs next to nothing, Gold said, lead to “this slow-motion train wreck that is the Colorado right now.”

From Los Angeles Times

Egypt’s brand of electro is as physical as it is mental, the first time you hear it, it’s forever ingrained.

From Los Angeles Times

The report from Baroness Amos - her reflections and initial impressions three months into the inquiry - highlight how ingrained poor care is.

From BBC

We moved four times before I turned ten, with the threat of a fifth and sixth always dangling in the periphery, which ingrained something of a perennial outsider feeling.

From Salon

Related Words

• instill