- Today's Word
Inure
Inure
ih-NUR
Definition
(verb) To become accustomed to something, especially something unpleasant.
Example
Over time, she became inured to the constant noise of the city.
Word Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French enurer, based on Latin inurare — in- (into) + urere (to burn), originally meaning “to burn in” or “harden by fire.”
Fun Fact
Inure often describes the mental or emotional process of adapting to difficulty, stress, or discomfort. It’s frequently used in psychology, journalism, and military contexts—anywhere people learn to cope with harsh conditions. You might become inured to cold weather, online trolling, or even tragic news headlines. It’s a word that suggests resilience—but also desensitization.
