ingrained

Ingrained is an adjective used to describe something that is firmly established and difficult to change. It is commonly applied to habits, beliefs, attitudes, and patterns of behavior that have been formed over time, but it can also refer to dirt, stains, or marks that are difficult to remove from a surface.

The term originates from the older sense of dyeing or staining through the grain of a material. In textile and woodworking contexts, an ingrained color or mark is fixed deeply within the material. Over time, the sense broadened metaphorically to describe ideas, customs, or ways of thinking that have become part of a person or a culture.

Usage notes: ingrained is often used with in to indicate where the attribute is deeply established, as in "ingrained in his habits" or "ingrained in the culture." It is common in formal and informal writing. In contrast with similar terms, ingrained emphasizes depth and persistence rather than mere frequency or recency; it can carry a slightly evaluative tone, positive or negative depending on context. Examples: "an ingrained habit of punctuality," "ingrained prejudice," "the belief is ingrained in our society." "Ingrained dirt" is common in cleaning contexts.

See also: entrenched, deeply rooted, habitual, routine, hard-wired.