grainy

adjective

ˈgrā-nē How to pronounce grainy (audio)
grainier; grainiest
Synonyms of grainynext
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

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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
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Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Others spoke of police chokeholds and the grainy footage that showed officers striking King with batons. — David Zahniser, Los Angeles Times, 16 Oct. 2026 Clarkson appears in the grainy surveillance video wearing a yellow shirt and baseball cap. — ABC News, 14 Oct. 2026 These tracks would feel crowded if not for Nyberg’s warm production keeping Gash’s vision simultaneously grainy and clear. — Nina Corcoran, Pitchfork, 13 Oct. 2026 In my old neighborhood, people often posted grainy images of package thieves to local message boards. — Longreads, 15 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for grainy

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of grainy was in the 15th century

Rhymes for grainy

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Browse Nearby Words

grain weevil
grainy
graip
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Cite this Entry

“Grainy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/grainy. Accessed 19 Oct. 2026.

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