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

• 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

This granular digital evidence represents exactly the type of data needed to establish or refute distracted driving claims in trucking cases. —Lars Daniel, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Schrecker’s No Ivory Tower is a granular account of the effect that the Red Scare had on American universities, as well as a broader meditation on the nature and history of academic freedom. —Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 21 July 2025

Metzger points out a similar experiment that used an exotic granular catalyst – nickel-on-kieselguhr (kieselguhr is a kind of sedimentary rock) – rather than lunar regolith. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 17 July 2025

The granular nature of U.S. trade policy under Trump is apparent in the varying exemptions granted to different trading partners. —Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 17 July 2025

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