ingrown
|in-grown|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈɪnˌɡroʊn/
🇬🇧
/ˈɪnˌɡrəʊn/
grown inward
Etymology
Etymology Information
'ingrown' originates from the combination of 'in-' meaning 'inside' and 'grown,' the past participle of 'grow,' which means 'to develop or increase in size.'
Historical Evolution
'ingrown' changed from the Old English word 'growan,' which meant 'to grow,' and eventually became the modern English word 'ingrown.'
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'grown inside,' and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
having grown abnormally into the flesh, typically used to describe nails or hairs.
She had an ingrown toenail that needed medical attention.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Last updated: 2025/05/04 18:59