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

Christophe Ingrain, a lawyer for Sarkozy, said the release was a step forward.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 10, 2025

Ingrain, in′grān′, v.t. the same as Engrain.—adj. dyed in the yarn or thread before manufacture.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Ingrain, a kind of carpeting, in which the threads are dyed in the grain, or raw material, before manufacture.

From A Treatise on Domestic Economy For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School by Beecher, Catharine Esther

Engrain, en-grān′, Ingrain, in-, v.t. to dye of a fast or lasting colour: to dye in the raw state: to infix deeply.—n.

From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various

Ingrain carpets, of close texture, and the three-ply carpets, are best for common use.

From A Treatise on Domestic Economy For the Use of Young Ladies at Home and at School by Beecher, Catharine Esther

Related Words

• instill