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

The 5-megapixel IR webcam's image looks grainy, especially in low light, although the physical privacy shutter is a helpful feature. — Marshall Honorof, PC Magazine, 7 Nov. 2026

The consistency of the food and his slower eating pace led to fewer choking incidents versus some grainier, more tempting formulas. — ABC News, 4 Nov. 2026

When a pie is overbaked, the filling becomes excessively firm, dry, or grainy. — Bianca Lambert, Southern Living, 3 Nov. 2026

The case rested on an artificial intelligence facial recognition search that had matched Dillon’s face to grainy surveillance footage at the restaurant. — Edward Longe, Washington Post, 2 Nov. 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