ENGLISH
REFERENCE

ingrained

adj.
C1 Advanced US //ˌɪnˈɡɹeɪnd// UK //ɪnɡɹˈeɪnd// in·grained

adj. describes a habit, belief, or attitude that is so deep and old that it is very hard to change. It is like a root that has grown deep into the ground.

adj. firmly established and difficult to change; deeply embedded within a person's character or a society's culture. Often used to describe psychological or sociological traits.


SIMPLE

The habit of waking up early is ingrained in him.

CONTEXTUAL

After decades of working in the same industry, certain professional routines become so ingrained that they are performed almost automatically.

COMPLEX

The researchers argued that these prejudices were deeply ingrained in the local culture, making them resistant to even the most well-funded educational interventions.

Synonyms
Origin

From ingrain + -ed.

Usage

Often follows a linking verb like 'be', 'become', or 'remain', or appears as a participial adjective before a noun.

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