granulated sugar: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B1Informal, Neutral, Culinary
Quick answer
What does “granulated sugar” mean?
White sugar with a medium grain size, produced by drying and grinding sugar crystals, used as a standard sweetener in cooking and baking.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
White sugar with a medium grain size, produced by drying and grinding sugar crystals, used as a standard sweetener in cooking and baking.
The most common form of refined sugar in domestic kitchens, characterised by its small, free-flowing, crystalline granules. It can also refer to sugar types with larger or coarser granules as a broader category.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is identical and standard in both varieties. The primary alternative 'table sugar' is slightly more common in AmE, but both terms are fully understood. British English may more commonly specify 'caster sugar' (finer) or 'demerara sugar' (coarser) for culinary precision.
Connotations
Neutral; implies everyday, domestic use. No strong regional connotations.
Frequency
High frequency in both, with 'granulated sugar' being the most common specific term in BrE culinary contexts. AmE may use 'white sugar' or simply 'sugar' interchangeably with 'granulated sugar' in general conversation.
Grammar
How to Use “granulated sugar” in a Sentence
[Verb] + granulated sugar + [Prep] (e.g., sprinkle granulated sugar over)Substitute [X] for granulated sugar[Adjective] + granulated sugar + [Noun] (e.g., organic granulated sugar supplier)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “granulated sugar” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The machine will granulate the sugar to the desired size.
- They need to granulate the raw sugar crystals.
American English
- The factory granulates sugar for retail packaging.
- This process granulates the syrup into solid crystals.
adverb
British English
- [Rare/Non-standard for this word]
American English
- [Rare/Non-standard for this word]
adjective
British English
- She prefers a granulated sweetener for her tea.
- Look for the granulated sugar aisle.
American English
- The recipe calls for granulated sweetener, not liquid.
- We stock granulated and powdered forms.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in trade, retail, and supply chain contexts for bulk commodities.
Academic
Used in food science, chemistry, and nutritional studies to specify a sucrose form.
Everyday
Common in recipes, shopping lists, and domestic conversation about baking or sweetening drinks.
Technical
Specified in industrial food production, bakery formulae, and ingredient labelling to distinguish from other sucrose particle sizes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “granulated sugar”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “granulated sugar”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “granulated sugar”
- Using 'granulate sugar' (incorrect form).
- Confusing it with 'caster sugar' (finer) or 'demerara' (coarser and brown).
- Using it as a countable noun (e.g., 'three granulated sugars' for sugar packets).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Granulated sugar has larger, coarser crystals than caster sugar, which is finer and dissolves more quickly. They are often not direct substitutes in baking.
Yes, by grinding granulated sugar in a high-powered blender or food processor, often with a small amount of cornflour (cornstarch) to prevent clumping.
Brown sugar contains molasses, giving it moisture, colour, and a distinctive caramel-like flavour. Granulated sugar is pure sucrose with no molasses.
Typically, yes. 'Table sugar' is a common synonym for the standard granulated white sugar served at tables. However, in some contexts, sugar cubes or other forms could be considered 'table sugar'.
White sugar with a medium grain size, produced by drying and grinding sugar crystals, used as a standard sweetener in cooking and baking.
Granulated sugar is usually informal, neutral, culinary in register.
Granulated sugar: in British English it is pronounced /ˈɡrænjʊleɪtɪd ˈʃʊɡə(r)/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈɡrænjəleɪtɪd ˈʃʊɡər/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[Not typically idiomatic]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Picture the GRANULES of sugar like tiny GRAINS of sweet sand.
Conceptual Metaphor
SWEETENER IS A BUILDING BLOCK (e.g., 'the foundation of the recipe'), GRANULES ARE PARTICLES/SAND.
Practice
Quiz
In a British recipe, if it simply states '100g sugar', what is most likely intended?