engrain: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Literary
Quick answer
What does “engrain” mean?
to firmly fix or establish something, especially an idea, habit, or pattern, so that it is deeply embedded and difficult to change.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
to firmly fix or establish something, especially an idea, habit, or pattern, so that it is deeply embedded and difficult to change.
To impregnate or permeate thoroughly; to dye a material (like wood or fabric) deeply so the colour is fixed; often used metaphorically for deeply ingrained habits or beliefs.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
The spelling "ingrain" is generally more common in both varieties. The spelling "engrain" is accepted but less frequent. There is no significant difference in meaning or connotation between the varieties based on spelling.
Connotations
Identical in both varieties. Conveys a sense of deep-seatedness, often with a slightly negative nuance when referring to habits or prejudices, or a positive one regarding values or skills.
Frequency
Low-frequency word in both varieties, used more in written, academic, or formal contexts than in casual speech. The adjective "ingrained" is significantly more common than the verb.
Grammar
How to Use “engrain” in a Sentence
engrain something in/into somethingbe/become ingrained in something/someoneVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “engrain” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The headteacher sought to engrain a sense of respect in the school's ethos.
- These traditional methods are designed to engrain the basics of mathematics.
American English
- The training program is meant to engrain safety protocols into daily routine.
- We must engrain these values into the company's core operations.
adverb
British English
- The concept was ingrainedly present in their philosophy.
American English
- The behaviour was ingrainedly stubborn, resisting all change.
adjective
British English
- He has an ingrained distrust of bureaucracy.
- The ingrained dirt on the floor was impossible to remove.
American English
- Her ingrained work ethic comes from her family.
- It's an ingrained part of our national identity.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used to describe deeply embedded corporate cultures or processes. 'The start-up tried to engrain a culture of innovation from day one.'
Academic
Common in social sciences to discuss social norms, biases, or learned behaviours. 'Prejudices can become deeply ingrained in societal structures.'
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation. Mostly used in the adjective form 'ingrained'. 'My love for coffee is ingrained at this point.'
Technical
In textiles/woodworking, refers to dyeing processes. 'The dye is engrained into the fibres for colourfastness.'
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “engrain”
- Using 'engrain' to mean 'to engrave' (carve into a surface).
- Misspelling as 'ingrane' or 'engrane'.
- Confusing the verb 'engrain' with the more common adjective 'ingrained'.
- Using it in overly casual contexts where 'get used to' or 'learn' would be more natural.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
There is no difference in meaning. 'Ingrain' is the more common and slightly preferred spelling in modern usage, but 'engrain' is a correct variant. Both are verbs meaning to fix deeply.
Yes, etymologically. It originally referred to dyeing something so thoroughly that the colour penetrated as deeply as the grain in wood. This literal meaning persists in textiles, but the metaphorical use is now dominant.
Absolutely. While often used for negative habits or prejudices, it can describe positive traits like an ingrained sense of honesty, an ingrained work ethic, or ingrained safety procedures.
The standard and overwhelmingly more common adjective form is 'ingrained' (e.g., an ingrained habit). While 'engrained' might be seen occasionally, it is non-standard and best avoided. Use 'ingrained'.
to firmly fix or establish something, especially an idea, habit, or pattern, so that it is deeply embedded and difficult to change.
Engrain is usually formal/literary in register.
Engrain: in British English it is pronounced /ɪnˈɡreɪn/, and in American English it is pronounced /ɪnˈɡreɪn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Part of idiom 'ingrained habit'] e.g., 'His ingrained habit of checking his phone first thing was hard to break.'”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of GRAIN in wood. To ENGRAIN something is to fix it as deeply and permanently as the grain pattern in a piece of timber.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEEPLY FIXED IS DEEPLY DYED / AN IDEA IS A SUBSTANCE IMPREGNATED IN THE MIND.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST appropriate synonym for 'engrain' in the context of 'to engrain a belief'?