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 of grainy

• 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

Cats used to be the internet’s punchline, as grainy clips of keyboard solos and grumpy faces dropped into our feeds for a quick laugh. — Pat Mueller, USA Today, 29 July 2026

Avoid using a natural peanut butter, which has a grainier texture, and the peanuts will separate from the oil. — Erin Merhar, Southern Living, 26 July 2026

The first grainy glimpse of their new wedding rings came on July 10 in paparazzi photos of the couple at the wedding of Kelce’s former Chiefs teammate, JuJu Smith-Schuster and Laura Kruk. — Kansas City Star, 24 July 2026

Holmes suggests cleaning a grainy surface with a grainy paste. — Tessa Cooper, The Spruce, 21 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grainy

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