Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Having a texture composed of relatively large particles or structural elements: This describes a material whose constituent parts are visibly large or not finely divided.
   • Lacking refinement or subtlety; crude: This figurative sense describes a manner, character, or style that is rough, unpolished, or not detailed.

Usage and Examples

• Literal (Physical Texture):
  • The carpenter preferred coarse-grained wood for the rustic table.
  • They used coarse-grained sand for the construction of the foundation.
• Figurative (Lacking Fineness):
  • His coarse-grained humor often offended more sensitive listeners.
  • The analysis was criticized for its coarse-grained approach, missing many important nuances.

Advanced Usage

• In Computing/Data Analysis: Refers to a high-level view or analysis that deals with large, aggregated units of data or system components, rather than fine details.
  • The initial model provided only a coarse-grained overview of the network traffic.

Variants and Related Words

• Coarse (adj): Rough in texture; lacking refinement.
  • The fabric was unpleasantly coarse against the skin.
• Grainy (adj): Consisting of or resembling grains; often used for photographs or images with visible granular texture.
  • The old film had a charmingly grainy quality.
• Granular (adj): Consisting of or resembling small grains or particles.
  • She added granular fertilizer to the soil.

Synonyms

• Large-grained
• Gritty
• Crude (for the figurative sense)
• Unrefined (for the figurative sense)

Antonyms

• Fine-grained
• Smooth
• Refined (for the figurative sense)
• Subtle (for the figurative sense)

Adjective

1. not having a fine texture
   • coarse-grained wood
   • large-grained sand
2. composed of or covered with particles resembling meal in texture or consistency
   • granular sugar
   • the photographs were grainy and indistinct
   • it left a mealy residue