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small-grained

small-grained

4.0
Made of very small pieces like fine sand
  • adjective
  • /smɔl-ɡreɪnd/
translation icon : fino
  • The geologist studied the small-grained sand to determine its composition.

Examples

  • Small quantities of small-grained white rice from Man and Danan sold in Abidjan at high retail prices, but comparatively little white rice flowed out of the region in 2002.

    Academic text (2009)
  • The small-grained flour made the cake incredibly light and fluffy.

  • She planted small-grained seeds that would yield a rich harvest in the spring.

Synonyms

small
vssmall-grained
  • Specialized
380 1.0

Made of very tiny particles

is more specific about particle size rather than general overall size
fine
vssmall-grained
252 1.0

Has very small particles so it feels smooth

focuses on particle size specifically rather than general smooth quality
grainy
vssmall-grained
25 3.7

Rough in feel or look because of many tiny pieces

means very tiny particles without implying rough or visible clusters
granular
vssmall-grained
9 5.1

A material made of many small grains like sand

is more about having very tiny particles rather than coarse roughness
powdery
vssmall-grained
4 3.0

Covered with fine, dry dust that easily falls off

describes tiny particles without the loose easily scattered quality
fine-grained
vssmall-grained
1 4.4

Contains very small, closely packed particles that make it feel smooth like fine sugar

is the hyphenated form used in some technical contexts
fine-textured
vssmall-grained
1 4.6

Has very small parts that make a smooth surface, like hair or flour

is focused on particle size rather than overall smoothness
ultrafine
vssmall-grained
1 5.2

Something that is very small, like tiny particles or thin fibers

refers to very tiny particles but not necessarily extremely tiny
close-grained
vssmall-grained
  • Specialized
6.8

Having very small, tightly packed parts that make a smooth surface in wood or stone

is a general term stressing tiny particle composition instead of density
granulated
vssmall-grained
4.2

With many small grains or a grainy texture

describes natural tiny particle makeup rather than processed pieces

Antonyms

A rough texture made of large visible grains

How Fine

ultrafine
1 5.2
small-grained
4.0

Surface Forms

small-grained positive

Morphology

small-grained = small + grained (transparent) = small + grain + ed

Clear compound of 'small' + 'grained' (where 'grained' is itself 'grain' + '-ed'), so the meaning 'having small grains/particles' is directly derivable.

Etymology

Small-grained comes from putting small and grain together, and grain comes from an old Latin word granum meaning 'seed' or 'small particle'. Think of tiny grains of sand or seed-like bits, so small-grained means made of very fine, small particles and often feels smooth or delicate.