- plural of graffito.
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
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
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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.
It’s like police hunting for a couple of rogue graffiti artists on a crowded street where everyone is carrying a can of spray paint.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 27, 2026
Other measures included an increase in Gatwick Express services from December and a programme to refurbish train toilets and remove graffiti across the fleet.
From BBC ● Aug. 26, 2026
He also posted a photo, captioned “Vandalism,” that he said showed graffiti and damage to the Reflecting Pool.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 11, 2026
It has big metal security fencing all around it and is covered in graffiti, with vegetation growing out of the roof.
From BBC ● Aug. 7, 2026
Everybody in visual arts loves Sonny’s graffiti pieces.
From "On the Come Up" by Angie Thomas
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.
