graffiti

[gruh-fee-tee]

noun

1. plural of graffito.

2. (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.

3. (used with a singular verb),  such markings as a whole or as constituting a particular group.

   Not much graffiti appears around here these days.

graffiti

/ ɡræˈfiːtiː /

plural noun

1. (sometimes with singular verb) drawings, messages, etc, often obscene, scribbled on the walls of public lavatories, advertising posters, etc

2. 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

• graffitist noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of graffiti¹

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; graphic, grapho-, graft ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of graffiti¹

C19: graffito from Italian: a little scratch, from graffio, from Latin graphium stylus, from Greek grapheion; see _graft ¹

Example Sentences

Inside, Hebrew graffiti reads, "the last Samurai" – a reference to a Hollywood film about a 19th Century Japanese warrior outgunned by modern weapons.

From BBC

Silver used a city process available to RV parks, which allows them to be designated as a “public benefit project” if they meet 12 standards, including noise regulations and graffiti removal.

From Los Angeles Times

The investment for the more than 330 communities would be targeted at improvements backed by the local community and could include projects to tackle littering and graffiti or building a new sports ground.

From BBC

“Our city does not tolerate threats or attacks against our LGBTQ+ community. Period,” he said, adding that the city’s had sent its graffiti removal team to the site.

From Los Angeles Times

He is an up-and-coming graffiti artist who signed up to paint some authentic-looking graffiti for this film.

From Los Angeles Times