ingrain

[ verb in-greyn; adjective noun in-greyn ]

verb (used with object)

1. to implant or fix deeply and firmly, as in the nature or mind.

   Synonyms: imbue, inculcate, infuse

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

verb

1. to impress deeply on the mind or nature; instil
2. archaic.
   to dye into the fibre of (a fabric)

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingrain¹

First recorded in 1760–70; originally phrase (dyed) in grain (i.e., with kermes)

Word History and Origins

Origin of ingrain¹

C18: from the phrase dyed in grain dyed with kermes through the fibre

Example Sentences

Regular discussions about privacy, safety and online ethics help ingrain these lessons.

From Salon

He had to ingrain himself in the school and the Central District community, where the Rodriguez name still holds lots of weight.

From Seattle Times

“We’re not bringing in Gen X, millennials and Gen Zs into the fold to become lifelong donors,” she said, noting it is important to ingrain the practice of giving blood at a young age to create lifelong donors.

From Seattle Times

“I feel very humble in that. It’s not about me. It’s about the people that we’ve tried to impact and do things around the community. I feel like we’ve been involved in so much that we just tried to ingrain ourselves in the Seattle area as much as we can. I feel like it’s been our home to us. We’re raising our babies here. We have family here, friends here. And we take pride in what we’ve done.”

From Seattle Times

Meanwhile, the House Oversight Committee and Republicans on the Senate Banking Committee want information by June 19 about proposed climate financial disclosure rules for companies that GOP lawmakers say “seek to ingrain ESG and climate-related factors throughout the financial sector.”

From Washington Times

Related Words

• instill