Words / C1

GRAN-y-uh-l-uh/ˈɡrænjələ/

Granular, of data or description, means broken into fine useful pieces: granular costs, a granular breakdown. Detailed is everyday; fine-grained is a close cousin. Grainy is how a photo looks. A granule is a small grain. Do not call a one-line total granular.

Meaning

In fine, detailed pieces, not a vague whole (of data or description).

Examples

• “The board wanted granular costs per module, not one lump sum.”
• “Finance wanted granular spend per module, not “staffing” as one lump.”
• “Granular sand is literal; examiners mainly want the data sense.”

Good to know

Fine-grained (especially data). Everyday: detailed. Photo mix-up: grainy. Opposite: a lump sum / a vague whole.

Near in meaning

detailed

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