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

There is computer vision software that pulls measurable stats from grainy scouting footage. —Jacob Feldman, Sportico.com, 23 Apr. 2026

There is a single drawing of the small museum in Dorsey’s Philadelphia home; a handful of snapshots of the Harlem studio of collector, scrapbook maker, and dandy Alexander Gumby; and one grainy photograph of the library of Ella Elbert, featured in The Crisis magazine in 1920. —Laura E. Helton, Literary Hub, 20 Apr. 2026

In late March, grainy photographs of the Republican South Carolina senator Lindsey Graham relaxing at Disney World spread across the internet. —Paula Mejía, New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2026

And a very alarming grainy black and white video. —Matt Grobar, Deadline, 15 Apr. 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