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granular

/ˈɡræn.jʊ.lə/
IELTSAcademic
adjective

Made of very small pieces or grains, or looking as if it is. It can also mean very detailed, with many small parts.

  • The sand felt granular under my shoes.
  • We need a granular plan for each week.

Adinary Nuance

Granular is more specific than detailed or precise. Use it when you want to stress small parts that can be separated, counted, or examined closely. In business and academic writing, it often means information broken into fine levels of detail.

In other languages

Vietnamese
chi tiết nhỏ
Spanish
granular
Chinese
细颗粒的
Japanese
粒状の
Korean
입자성의

Etymology

Granular comes from Latin granulum, meaning “small grain.” It entered English in the 17th century, first for physical texture, then for detailed information.

Common phrases

granular datagranular detailgranular controlgranular analysis

Synonyms

Related words

Frequently asked questions

Is granular formal or informal?
It is fairly formal and common in business, academic, and technical English.
What is the difference between granular and detailed?
Detailed means having many facts or parts. Granular adds the idea of very small, separate parts.
Can I use granular for people or ideas?
Yes, in a figurative way. For example, a granular policy means one with many small rules.
Is granular used in IELTS writing?
Yes. It is useful in Academic and formal Task 2 writing when discussing data, analysis, or planning.