grainy

American  

[grey-nee] / ˈgreɪ ni /

adjective

grainier, grainiest

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.

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grainy British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

• graininess noun

Etymology

Origin of grainy

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

Example Sentences

Dozens of grainy infrared videos, captured by military aircraft, have surfaced over the years purporting to show unexplainable—possibly extraterrestrial—phenomena.

From The Wall Street Journal

The grainy black-and-white image has become the center of the investigation into Nancy Guthrie.

From Los Angeles Times

The commission has concluded it was possible that the man in the grainy phone box footage was Benguit, but it could not be sure.

From BBC

At first, it was the basics: crusty rounds, lean baguettes, rustic grainy loaves, the kind of bread that made a meal stretch.

From Salon

One frame from the grainy footage was digitally altered using artificial intelligence, AI experts told AFP.

From Barron's

Related Words

• gritty
• homespun