granola

American  

[gruh-noh-luh] / grəˈnoʊ lə /

noun

1. a breakfast food consisting of rolled oats, brown sugar, nuts, dried fruit, etc., usually served with milk.

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granola British  

/ ɡrəˈnəʊlə /

noun

1. a mixture of rolled oats, brown sugar, nuts, fruit, etc, eaten with milk

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Etymology

Origin of granola

1870–75; originally a trademark; cf. -ola

Explanation

Granola is a type of cereal made of rolled oats, nuts, and dried fruits. Many people eat granola with yogurt. Hippies love it. We have the great cereal man W.K.Kellog to thank for the word granola, probably from the word grain. The word was originally coined as a trademark (now lapsed) in the 19th century. Although granola is just a delicious food, it’s associated with liberal planet-loving tree huggers, and not always in a good way. If you’re wearing socks with sandals and have a few leaves in your long, uncombed hair, people might tell you you’re "looking granola." Because you are.

Example Sentences

I always have a matcha and try to have a salad or some lactose-free yogurt and some granola, some avocado, things like that.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 20, 2026

His rider contains only healthful snacks: granola bars, melon slices, grapes large as ping-pong balls.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 25, 2026

The dark purple berry went global in the early 2000s after it was reinvented as a sweet sorbet, often topped with granola and fruit, and marketed for its antioxidant-rich properties.

From Barron's • Jan. 28, 2026

Plain oats and most porridge, muesli and granola will not be banned under the crackdown, but some versions with added sugar, chocolate or syrup could be affected.

From BBC • Jan. 4, 2026

She turns her back as she finishes pouring a thermos full of tea and throws a granola bar into her briefcase.

From "Sparrow" by Sarah Moon