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

That theory was strengthened when a grainy surveillance video seemed to capture the family of four crossing the border on the same day their car was abandoned. —Mason Leath, ABC News, 3 Oct. 2025

What might look like a few grainy pixels to Waymo’s cameras one moment could be roadkill to swerve around the very next. —Saahil Desai, The Atlantic, 2 Oct. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for grainy

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