graffiti
Americannoun
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plural of graffito.
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(used with a plural verb) markings, as initials, slogans, or drawings, written, spray-painted, or sketched on a sidewalk, wall of a building or public restroom, or the like.
These graffiti are evidence of the neighborhood's decline.
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(used with a singular verb) such markings as a whole or as constituting a particular group.
Not much graffiti appears around here these days.
plural noun
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(sometimes with singular verb) drawings, messages, etc, often obscene, scribbled on the walls of public lavatories, advertising posters, etc
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archaeol inscriptions or drawings scratched or carved onto a surface, esp rock or pottery
Usage
In formal speech and writing graffiti takes a plural verb. In less formal contexts it is sometimes considered a mass noun and is used with a singular verb. The singular graffito is found mostly in archaeological and other technical writing.
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of graffiti
1850–55; < Italian, plural of graffito incised inscription or design, derivative with -ito -ite 2 of graffiare to scratch, perhaps influenced by presumed Latin *graphīre to write; both probably derivative of Latin graphium stylus < Greek grapheîon; cf. graphic, grapho-, graft 1
Explanation
Graffiti is a word, phrase, or image painted or drawn somewhere in public, like on the side of a building or on the walls in a restroom. Art or vandalism? That’s the debate about graffiti. For some people, graffiti looks ugly and damages the property where it’s left. Others consider graffiti a form of self-expression and a celebration of public spaces. The word comes from the Italian graffito, which means “a scratch,” and like a deep scratch, graffiti can be difficult to remove. It’s also difficult to spell, but remember that there are two fs and only one t and you’ll get it right every time.
Vocabulary lists containing graffiti
Language Gone Wrong: Words That Started Out as Errors
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All American Boys
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List 7
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Graffiti, seen as a form of creative expression in so many cities, is also illegal in Singapore.
From BBC • Mar. 7, 2026
Graffiti sprayed outside the mosque on Thursday warned: “We are not afraid of Avi Bluth.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 14, 2025
Graffiti, or street art, has not just come of age, it is now an asset class.
From BBC • Apr. 5, 2025
Graffiti has been a central part of Los Angeles for generations, an omnipresent part of the cityscape that has endured many attempts to stamp it out.
From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 17, 2024
I could only think of the Hillpark Gym Graffiti Incident.
From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
