granule

IPA/ˈɡrænjuːl/
KK[ɡrˈænjəl]IPA/ˈɡrænjuːl/

granule — noun

  • granulesingular
  • granulesplural

1. A tiny, often gritty fragment of a solid material, roughly the size of a single

1.nounB2
Definition

A tiny, often gritty fragment of a solid material, roughly the size of a single grain of sand.

Example

The coffee granules dissolved quickly when Jenna added hot water.

collocation: coffee granules / dissolve in liquid

A single sugar granule fell onto the tablecloth as Dewi stirred her tea.

Common collocations
  • coffee granules
  • sugar granules
  • salt granules
  • detergent granules
  • pollen granules
  • starch granules
  • dissolve granules
  • crush into granules
  • break into granules
  • fine granules
  • tiny granules
Synonyms
  • grain

    More general term; also used figuratively (a grain of truth); often refers to cereal seeds or sand

  • particle

    More formal and scientific; covers all tiny pieces including non-solid matter

  • speck

    Suggests an extremely tiny, often barely visible amount, typically of dust or dirt

  • pellet

    Describes a small, rounded, compressed shape, often man-made

Grammar Patterns

plural: granules

granule + of + noun

Usage Note

Often used in the plural form (granules) when referring to a substance consisting of many such particles.

Common Mistakes

I found a granule of truth in her story.
I found a grain of truth in her story.
'grain' is used figuratively in this fixed expression; 'granule' only refers to a physical particle.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

All four words describe small pieces of a substance, but they differ in size, shape, and context. Grain is the most general and also has figurative uses (a grain of truth); it often refers to natural fragments like sand or cereal seeds. Particle is the most formal and scientific, covering everything from dust specks to subatomic matter. Speck suggests an extremely tiny, barely visible amount, commonly associated with dust, dirt, or colour. Pellet implies a small, rounded, compressed shape, often man-made (e.g., animal feed or medicine). Granule refers to a visible, gritty piece that is roughly spherical or irregular, common in everyday products like coffee, sugar, or detergent. For example: 'a grain of rice' vs 'a granule of instant coffee' vs 'a speck of dust' vs 'a pellet of rabbit food.'

grain ↗particle ↗speck ↗pellet

Common collocations

Nouns

Phrases

  • in granular form
  • break down into granules

Prepositions

Etymology

LatinEnglish

From Latin 'granulum' meaning a small grain, which is the diminutive form of 'granum' (grain). The word entered English through scientific and medical Latin in the 17th century.