What context can I use each word in?
Learn when and how to use these words with these examples!
granule
Example
The sugar granules were too large for the recipe. [granules: noun]
Example
The sand was made up of tiny granules that stuck to our feet. [granules: noun]
particle
Example
The air was filled with tiny particles of dust. [particles: noun]
Example
The chemist studied the behavior of subatomic particles. [particles: noun]
Good things to know
Which word is more common?
Particle is more commonly used than granule in scientific or technical contexts. Granule is less common and is typically used in everyday language to describe visible, small units of a substance or material.
What’s the difference in the tone of formality between granule and particle?
While particle is typically associated with a scientific or technical tone, granule is more versatile and can be employed in both formal and informal contexts.