grainy

adjective

ˈgrā-nē 

grainier; grainiest

1

: resembling or having some characteristic of grain : not smooth or fine

2

of a photograph : appearing to be composed of grain-like particles

graininess noun

Synonyms

• coarse
• grained
• sandy
• granular

Examples of grainy in a Sentence

The mustard has a grainy texture.

grainy sand kept it off the rankings as one of the nation's best beaches

Recent Examples on the Web

And new for the season, the brand presented a family of grainy leather and lightweight suede flap bags — in small and mini styles and sizes — with the signature H fastener. —Martino Carrera, Footwear News, 29 Sep. 2025

Rye and apple brandy are fast friends—the apple brandy adding an autumnal echo to rye’s grainy persistence. —Jeremy Repanich, Robb Report, 27 Sep. 2025

Freezing can also alter the texture, making creams grainy or serums watery, which can affect both application and absorption. —Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 24 Sep. 2025

Television viewers would not see this footage until 1975, when a late-night show hosted by Geraldo Rivera showed a grainy, bootlegged copy narrated by a couple of conspiracy proponents. —Time, 20 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grainy

• brainy
• cheyney
• rainey
• zany
• allegany
• miscellany
• theophany