What does ingratiated mean?
Ingratiated describes a person who has gained another person's favor, often by flattering them, showing attentiveness, or offering help. The term commonly implies a deliberate effort to appear pleasing and may suggest that the behavior is insincere or self-serving. It is used for social and professional situations, such as ingratiating oneself with a supervisor, a political ally, or a new social group. Although the phrase can sometimes describe genuine courtesy, its usual connotation is skeptical: an ingratiated person may be trying to secure approval rather than simply communicating warmly. As the past participle of ingratiate, it shows that someone has already succeeded in winning favor through such behavior. The word is more formal and more openly evaluative than simply being liked or welcomed.
Having won someone's favor or approval, especially by deliberate flattery or pleasing behavior.
"The ambassador was ingratiated with the foreign minister and soon became a frequent visitor."
Often implies that the pleasing behavior is calculated or insincere.
To seek or gain someone's favor by pleasing or flattering them.
"He ingratiated himself with the powerful family by volunteering for their community projects."
The past tense and past participle are both ingratiated.
To ingratiate yourself is to seek favor by making yourself agreeable; the word often carries the suspicion that the flattery is calculated rather than sincere.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does ingratiated come from?
Ingratiated comes from the Latin root grātia, meaning favor, goodwill, or thanks. It was influenced by Italian ingratiarsi, meaning to make oneself agreeable or gain favor, formed with the prefix in- and the root grati- from grātia. The same root underlies English words such as grateful, gratitude, and gratify, although their forms reflect different combinations of the Latin base.
Related word forms
How ingratiated is actually used
The word generally suggests that someone is trying to win favor, often insincerely. It can be mildly critical or ironic rather than openly hostile.
Easily confused with ingratiated
Ingratiated means having gained favor through pleasing or flattering behavior, whereas integrated means combined successfully with a larger group or system.