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

Many departments, including Philadelphia’s, began letting officers grow short beards if shaving was likely to lead to ingrown facial hairs, a condition common among Black men.

From Seattle Times • Jul. 27, 2023

Monkeypox patients have turned up with what looked like mosquito bites, pimples or ingrown hairs, not the large pustules usually associated with the infection.

From New York Times • Aug. 26, 2022

I replace the giraffe’s neck poultice, cold-soak a camel for a suspected hoof abscess, and survive my first cat procedure—treating Rex for an ingrown claw while Clive strokes his head.

From "Water for Elephants" by Sara Gruen