# grainy

/ˈɡɹeɪni/ (US) · /ɡɹˈeɪni/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Adjective

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/grainy
Updated: 2026-05-20

## Definition

having a rough, uneven texture that you can see or feel. You use this to describe things like old photos, sand, or a rough surface.

For teachers: having a rough, uneven, or granular texture that is visible to the eye or palpable to the touch. Often used to describe the visual quality of low-resolution images or the tactile quality of certain materials.

## Examples

- The old photo has a grainy texture.
- The screen on my phone looks grainy when I watch videos in bright sunlight.
- The artist used a grainy texture to represent the rough, weathered stone of the ancient ruins, adding a sense of history and decay to the painting.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.