grainy

/ˈɡreɪni/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɡreɪni/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈgrā-nē/ (ame, mw)

grainy — adjective

  • grainypositive
  • grainiercomparative
  • grainiestsuperlative

1. used to describe a picture, video, or recording where tiny dots or specks are vi

1.形容詞B2
釋義

used to describe a picture, video, or recording where tiny dots or specks are visible across the image, making it look less clear than a normal, sharp image.

例句

The security camera footage was too grainy to make out the thief's face.

grainy + footage; too...to... structure for insufficient clarity

Aunt Mei looked at the grainy holiday photos from her old film camera with fondness.

同義詞
  • pixelated

    specifically for digital images with individual squares visible

  • noisy

    photography & video jargon for random specks in an image

反義詞
  • sharp

    having clearly defined edges; the opposite of grainy

  • crisp

    clear and detailed

文法句型

grainy + noun (photograph, video, image, footage)

用法筆記

Frequently used for old film, cheap digital cameras, or security recordings. The visible dots are called 'grain' or 'noise' in photography.

常見錯誤

❌The photo is grainy and blurry' (using both interchangeably).
✅The photo is grainy
💡I can see tiny dots across the image.' — 'grainy' describes visible dots, while 'blurry' describes a lack of focus.

2. describing a surface, substance, or food that feels rough to the touch or contai

2.形容詞B2
釋義

describing a surface, substance, or food that feels rough to the touch or contains many very small, hard pieces rather than being smooth and even.

例句

The chef preferred a grainy mustard with visible seeds in it.

grainy + mustard (food context)

After sanding, the wooden table still felt grainy and needed another coat of sealant.

同義詞
  • coarse

    texture with large, noticeable particles; used for sand, fabric, or powder

  • rough

    uneven surface; broader than 'grainy'

  • gritty

    unpleasantly sandy, especially in food or drink

反義詞
  • smooth

    having an even, flat surface with no bumps or particles

  • fine

    made of very small particles; the opposite of coarse/grainy

  • creamy

    smooth and soft like cream; for food textures

文法句型

grainy + noun (texture, surface, sand, soil, mustard)

用法筆記

Often describes food textures (mustard, polenta, nut butter, oatmeal) or natural materials (soil, sand, stone). Use 'gritty' when the focus is on an unpleasant sandy feel in food.

常見錯誤

❌This soup tastes grainy' (when you mean 'lumpy').
✅This soup is lumpy
💡the flour was not stirred in properly.' — 'grainy' means tiny hard particles, not larger soft lumps.