What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
ingrained
Example
Her fear of spiders was ingrained from childhood. [ingrained: adjective]
Example
He had an ingrained sense of discipline and hard work. [ingrained: adjective]
inherent
Example
The inherent beauty of the sunset was breathtaking. [inherent: adjective]
Example
Freedom of speech is an inherent right in many countries. [inherent: adjective]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Inherent is more commonly used than ingrained in everyday language. Inherent is versatile and covers a wide range of contexts, while ingrained is less common and often used to describe negative qualities or habits.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between ingrained and inherent?
Both ingrained and inherent can be used in formal and informal contexts, but inherent may be perceived as more formal due to its neutral or positive connotation.