Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ingratiating
First recorded in 1635–45; ingratiat(e) + -ing 2
Explanation
If someone in your class places an apple on your teacher's desk in an ingratiating manner, that means he's making a calculated move to suck up and win your teacher's favor. The word ingratiating comes from a combination of the Latin prefix in- meaning "in" and gratia meaning "favor, grace." A person who is ingratiating is trying to get in the favor or grace of those around her. But the word doesn't always have to imply a sly attempt at winning others over, sometimes it can simply mean charming or agreeable. A person's smile can be ingratiating, winning people over simply with its charm.
Vocabulary lists containing ingratiating
Behave Yourself! Vocabulary for Good, Bad, and Indifferent Conduct
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
White Fang
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Crucible, Acts 1–2
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
But Garry—as enacted by Mr. Warren-Smith, whose double-barreled surname wouldn’t suit the lowdown lunacy Garry gets up to—is a warmly ingratiating performer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 10, 2026
"I really enjoyed the way that Stagg was not interested in ingratiating himself with anybody," he told BBC Culture correspondent David Sillito, calling him "a real fish out of water in this situation".
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
He would begin a performance with Glass at the piano, bestowing an ingratiating quality of quiet pleasure on Ginsberg’s flowery imagery.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026
Thus far, he seems to have done a terrible job of ingratiating himself to others: Most recently, the office’s top criminal prosecutor resigned rather than follow his allegedly improper orders.
From Slate ● Feb. 20, 2025
“You wasted no time ingratiating yourself, did you?” he says.
From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
