grainy

[ grey-nee ]

adjective

, grain·i·er, grain·i·est.

1. resembling grain; granular.
2. full of grains grain or grain.
3. having a natural or simulated grain, as wood, wallpaper, etc.
4. Photography. (of a negative or positive) having a granular appearance.

grainy

/ ˈɡreɪnɪ /

adjective

1. resembling, full of, or composed of grain; granular
2. resembling the grain of wood, leather, etc
3. photog having poor definition because of large grain size

Derived Forms

• ˈgraininess, noun

Other Words From

• graini·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of grainy¹

First recorded in 1605–15; grain + -y ¹

Example Sentences

They were grainy, but gave Earthlings a glimpse at the Moon from a different angle.

From BBC

A text message from De León’s campaign included a grainy photo of Jurado and warned that “Forty years of Latino representation is threatened.”

From Los Angeles Times

Surely, the grainy image had to be Amelia Earhart’s long-lost plane, 16,000 feet beneath the surface of the Pacific Ocean.

From Los Angeles Times

The video is grainy, but Dave Roberts’ thin mustache and Aaron Boone’s peach fuzz are discernible.

From Los Angeles Times

What followed were two days of the most glorious England run-scoring this side of World War Two, producing numbers that only previously existed in grainy black-and-white footage and timeless Tests.

From BBC

Related Words

• gritty
• homespun