ingrown

American  

[in-grohn] / ˈɪnˌgroʊn /

adjective

1. having grown grown into the flesh.

   an ingrown toenail.

2. grown grown within or inward.

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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

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Etymology

Origin of ingrown

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

Example Sentences

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

The day after the appointment, they woke up with a fever, swollen lymph nodes and what appeared to be an ingrown hair near their groin.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2022

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

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs