ENGLISH
REFERENCE

grains

n. · v.
US //ˈɡɹeɪnz// UK //ɡɹˈeɪnz// grains
  1. 1 cereal crops (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the small, hard seeds of plants like wheat, corn, or rice that people eat.

    the harvested seeds of cereal grasses, such as wheat, maize, or rye, considered collectively as a food source.

    Example

    Whole grains like brown rice are very healthy for your heart.

    Example

    The global market for cereal grains fluctuated significantly following the report of a poor harvest in the northern hemisphere.
  2. 2 small particles (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    very small, hard pieces of a substance like sand, salt, or sugar.

    minute, discrete particles of a substance, typically referring to sand, salt, or mineral deposits.

    Example

    I felt a few grains of sand in my shoes after walking on the beach.

    Example

    The geologist examined the individual grains of quartz under a microscope to determine the rock's origin.
  3. 3 wood or stone texture (n.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    the natural patterns or lines you see in wood or stone.

    the longitudinal arrangement or pattern of fibres in wood, or the texture of particles in stone or metal.

    Example

    The carpenter followed the grains of the wood to make a smooth table.

    Example

    The sculptor carefully selected a block of marble where the natural grains would complement the curves of the figure.
  4. 4 to create a texture (v.)
    C2 Proficiency Technical

    to give something a rough surface or a wood-like pattern.

    to paint or treat a surface so that it mimics the texture of wood or stone; the third-person singular form.

    Example

    The artist grains the metal to make it look like expensive oak.

    Example

    In traditional decorative arts, a specialist grains the plaster walls to create the illusion of exotic hardwood panelling.

    Usage

    The third-person singular form of the verb 'to grain'.
Origin

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Last updated June 20, 2026