ingrained

Group 26Difficulty 1/3

Definition

(adjective)
Firmly fixed or established; difficult to change
GRE

Example in Context

The ingrained prejudices of the institution took decades to dismantle, requiring persistent effort from multiple generations of reformers.

Synonyms

deep-seatedrootedfixed

Etymology

Something deeply embedded, like grains in a stone.

  • in- (Latin) — into
  • grana (Latin) — grain

Memory Aid

🌾Sounds like “in grain-ed

Imagine a stubborn old tree IN GRAINED with its secrets, refusing to change no matter what!

Visual Association

🪨A massive rock with intricate patterns carved deeply into its surface, symbolizing permanence.

Semantic Clusters

Synonym Groups

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “ingrained” mean on the GRE?

ingrained (adjective) means “Firmly fixed or established; difficult to change”. The ingrained prejudices of the institution took decades to dismantle, requiring persistent effort from multiple generations of reformers.

How to remember “ingrained” for the GRE?

Mnemonic: “ingrained” sounds like “in grain-ed”. Imagine a stubborn old tree IN GRAINED with its secrets, refusing to change no matter what!

What are synonyms for “ingrained”?

Common synonyms: deep-seated, rooted, fixed.