ingrown

adjective

in·​grown ˈin-ˌgrōn How to pronounce ingrown (audio)
1
: grown in
specifically : having the free tip or edge embedded in the flesh
an ingrown toenail
2
: having the direction of growth or activity or interest inward rather than outward
swarms of ingrown, infighting bureaucraciesH. R. Cilley
ingrownness noun

Examples of ingrown in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The brand’s resulting body care products, High Roller and Slather, both work to exfoliate and smooth the skin, targeting ingrown hairs and keratosis pilaris (among other texture issues) respectively with ingredients like glycolic acid, willow bark extract, and retinol. Hannah Baxter, Allure, 5 Mar. 2024 There’s the Soft Serve After Shave Oil, which prevents razor burn and ingrown hairs with a blend of anti-inflammatory peptides to reduce redness and heal bumps, hyaluronic acid to hydrate and strawberry that’s naturally loaded with AHAs to exfoliate. Celia Shatzman, Forbes, 1 Mar. 2024 Designed for wet or dry exfoliating, just scrub your body in circular motions with the 100% nylon fibers to retexture skin, unclog pores, and reduce ingrown hairs. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Feb. 2024 As a bonus, there’s no downtime, annoying growing-out period or risk of ingrown hairs. Stepfanie Romine, USA TODAY, 16 Jan. 2024 If ingrown hair persists, seek an alternative hair removal option and see a dermatologist. Essence, 8 Jan. 2024 That means my journey to preventing ingrown hairs continues. Kiana Murden, Vogue, 29 Dec. 2023 The best way to treat ingrown hairs, according to Rieder, is to prevent them in the first place. Garrett Munce, Men's Health, 20 July 2023 Libby says that the two most important things to keep in mind when treating them are unclogging pores and minimizing ingrown hairs. Audrey Noble, Vogue, 19 Nov. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'ingrown.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1670, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ingrown was in 1670

Dictionary Entries Near ingrown

Cite this Entry

“Ingrown.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ingrown. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

ingrown

adjective
in·​grown ˈin-ˌgrōn How to pronounce ingrown (audio)
: grown in
especially : having the free tip or edge grown back into the flesh
an ingrown toenail

Medical Definition

ingrown

adjective
in·​grown ˈin-ˌgrōn How to pronounce ingrown (audio)
: grown in
specifically : having the normally free tip or edge embedded in the flesh
an ingrown toenail

More from Merriam-Webster on ingrown

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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