grain

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/ɡreɪn/
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A cereal seed or crop, a tiny particle, or the natural texture and direction of fibers in a material.

Examples

  • That decision went against the grain for her.
  • Fine sandpaper raised the grain slightly.
  • She brushed a few grains of sugar from the table.
  • Add just a grain of salt to the sauce.
  • A grain of sand stuck to the lens.

Similar words

granule
fiber
wheat
mote
barley
corn
nap
surface
speck
pattern

Meanings

Seed or cereal crop

noun
everyday
neutral
A small hard seed of a cereal plant, or cereal crops such as wheat, rice, corn, oats, and barley considered as food.

Examples

  • Rice is one of the world's most important grains.
  • The farmer stored the grain in a dry barn.
  • Whole grain bread has more fiber than white bread.
  • A single grain of wheat fell from the sack.
  • The price of grain rose after the drought.

Similar words

Tiny particle

noun
everyday
neutral
A very small hard piece of something, especially sand, salt, sugar, or a traditional very small unit of weight.

Examples

  • A grain of sand stuck to the lens.
  • Add just a grain of salt to the sauce.
  • Take that rumor with a grain of salt.
  • The arrow weight is measured in grains.
  • She brushed a few grains of sugar from the table.

Similar words

Texture or natural direction

noun
technical
neutral
The visible pattern, texture, or natural direction of fibers in wood, leather, stone, or another material.

Examples

  • The table shows the natural grain of the oak.
  • Cut the meat across the grain for tender slices.
  • The cabinetmaker followed the grain of the wood.
  • That decision went against the grain for her.
  • Fine sandpaper raised the grain slightly.

Similar words

Etymology

From Middle English grain, from Old French grain, from Latin granum, meaning seed or grain. The senses for small particles, texture, and fine measures developed from the idea of a tiny seedlike piece.

FAQ

What does grain mean?

Grain can mean a cereal seed or crop, a tiny particle, or the texture and natural direction of a material.

Is rice a grain?

Yes. Rice is a cereal grain, like wheat, corn, oats, and barley.

What does a grain of salt mean?

Literally it means one tiny piece of salt. In take it with a grain of salt, it means do not fully believe it.

What is the grain of wood?

It is the visible pattern and natural direction of the wood fibers.

What does against the grain mean?

Literally it means across the natural fiber direction. Figuratively it means against someone's nature or preference.

Can grain mean a unit of weight?

Yes. A grain is a very small traditional weight unit, still seen in ammunition, archery, and some older measures.

What are synonyms of grain?

Depending on the sense, synonyms include cereal, seed, particle, speck, texture, and fiber.

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