fine-grained
Americanadjective
-
being of fine grain or texture, as certain types of wood, leather, etc.
-
Photography. fine-grain.
adjective
-
(of wood, leather, etc) having a fine smooth even grain
-
detailed, in-depth, or involving fine detail
Etymology
Origin of fine-grained
First recorded in 1530–40
Vocabulary lists containing fine-grained
Earth Science - Middle School
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Rocks and Minerals - Introductory
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Earth Science - High School
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The so-called “cooperative steering” function permits drivers to make brief, fine-grained adjustments to the steering and throttle without canceling.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 15, 2026
They are about 3.5bn years old and are a type of rock called mudstone, which is fine-grained rock formed from clays.
From BBC • Sep. 10, 2025
“The future of it is going to be more fine-grained, where you are taking back control in terms of what and who you want to hear,” says Gollakota.
From Slate • Aug. 10, 2025
Without a way to observe the fine-grained structures of neurons while they’re active in a living human brain, “we don’t have powerful enough technology to answer it directly,” Zimmerberg says.
From Science Magazine • Dec. 2, 2024
Porcelain, a fine-grained translucent pottery, was invented in China around the 7th century A.D.
From "Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies" by Jared M. Diamond
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
