also: きり
noun
Refers to the surface quality of skin, fabric, or other materials; often used in beauty and craft contexts.
この布はきめが細かくて、肌触りがいい。
This fabric has a fine texture and feels good against the skin.
彼女はきめの整った肌をしている。
She has smooth-textured skin.
noun
grain; wood grain
Typically used for the natural pattern in wood; the kanji 木目 is especially associated with this sense.
See also: 木目 (もくめ)
この机は木目が美しい。
This desk has a beautiful wood grain.
木目の細かい木材を選んだ。
I chose wood with a fine grain.
noun
detail; fineness
Only with reading きめ
Used in expressions like きめ細かい to mean meticulous attention to detail; restricted to the reading きめ.
See also: きめ細か (きめこまか)
彼の仕事はきめが細かい。
His work is very detailed.
きめ細かなサービスが好評だ。
The meticulous service is well-received.
Rare kanji spelling for the texture sense; also has the reading きり.
Rare reading of 肌理 for the texture sense.
The origin is uncertain; possibly related to the verb 決める (to decide, to set), but the connection is not clear. The kanji 肌理 and 木目 are semantic compounds for texture and wood grain respectively.