granular

adjective

gran·​u·​lar ˈgran-yə-lər 

1

: consisting of or appearing to consist of granules : grainy

2

: finely detailed

granular reports

granularity

ˌgran-yə-ˈler-ə-tē 

noun

Synonyms of granular

• coarse
• grained
• granulated
• sandy

Examples of granular in a Sentence

icy, granular snow makes for terrible skiing—if you can, ski on light, powdery snow

Recent Examples on the Web

The innovators on the front lines have the most granular understanding of these models, and ignoring their technical expertise is a recipe for a regulatory regime that is obsolete before the ink is even dry. —Morgan Chalfant, semafor.com, 10 Apr. 2026

Rather than seeking necessary and targeted data in an audit or examination setting, OPM is proposing the wholesale collection of vast amounts of granular data from all [benefits providers of federal workers]. —ArsTechnica, 8 Apr. 2026

Part of Chesney’s philosophy is making every granular aspect of football a competition, from the weight room to the field, down to the way players’ lockers are kept. —Aaron Heisen, Daily News, 7 Apr. 2026

This vital but narrow waterway shepherds through a fifth of the world’s crude oil and a third of its granular urea, a type of nitrogen fertilizer. —Alexander Smith, NBC news, 6 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

see granule

First Known Use

1762, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing granular

• non-granular

Rhymes for granular

• annular
• intergranular

Kids Definition

granular

adjective

gran·​u·​lar ˈgran-yə-lər 

1

: consisting of grains

2

: having a grainy structure, feel, or appearance

granularity

ˌgran-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun

Medical Definition

granular

adjective

gran·​u·​lar ˈgran-yə-lər 

1

a

: consisting of or containing granules : having a grainy texture

b

: having granules with an affinity for specific biological stains

granular cytoplasm

2

: having or marked by granulations

granular tissue

granularity

ˌgran-yə-ˈlar-ət-ē 

noun

plural granularities