graffiti

[ gruh-fee-tee ]

/ grəˈfi ti /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR graffiti ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

(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.

(used with a singular verb) such markings as a whole or as constituting a particular group: Not much graffiti appears around here these days.

Nearby words

graeco-roman, graefe's operation, graefe's sign, graeffe method, graf, graffiti, graffito, graft, graft hybrid, graft-versus-host disease, graftage

Origin of graffiti

1850–55; < Italian, plural of graffito incised inscription or design, derivative with -ito -ite² of graffiare to scratch, perhaps influenced by presumed Latin *graphīre to write; both probably derivative of Latin graphium stylus < Greek grapheîon; cf. graphic, grapho-, graft¹

Related forms

graf·fi·tist, noun

Usage note

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.

Definition for graffiti (2 of 2)

graffito

[ gruh-fee-toh ]

/ grəˈfi toʊ /

noun, plural graf·fi·ti [gruh-fee-tee] /grəˈfi ti/.

Archaeology. an ancient drawing or writing scratched on a wall or other surface.

a single example of graffiti.

Origin of graffito

see origin at graffiti

Usage note

See graffiti.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for graffiti

Graffiti was borne out of the South Bronx streets as one of the key pillars of the hip-hop movement.
Catch Him If You Can: Reliving Banksy’s New York Invasion|Alex Suskind|November 14, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The amount of graffiti on such a wall would depend on the commitment of its defenders.
You Can Look It Up: The Wikipedia Story|Walter Isaacson|October 19, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Goldman is now dead, but his family still runs his business and maintains the graffiti wall.
Graffiti Artists Turn on Banksy: The Rise of Art Hate|Anthony Haden-Guest|August 6, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Two years later and sober, he was still acting out, facing 17 years for graffiti and vandalism.
The Buddhist Punk Reforming Drug Rehab|Stephen Krcmar|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST

Like most graffiti artists, she keeps a low profile and her identity is a secret.
Who Is Bambi, the Artist Behind Kim Kardashian’s Wedding-Gift Portrait?|Justin Jones|June 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
With reference to the graffiti, one singular circumstance mentioned by De Rossi is worth repeating here.
The Catholic World; Volume I, Issues 1-6|E. Rameur
We stayed two days at Eriosh to study the graffiti and tombs.
Southern Arabia|Theodore Bent
Among the graffiti in Pompeii are examples of the same subtle symbolism.
The Bon Gaultier Ballads|William Edmonstoune Aytoun
Graffiti may, indeed, tell us something about degrees of literacy.
The Merry-Thought: or the Glass-Window and Bog-House Miscellany|Hurlo Thrumbo (pseudonym)
The pavement of the whole cathedral is composed of graffiti in coloured marble pictures.
Cathedral Cities of Italy|William Wiehe Collins

British Dictionary definitions for graffiti

graffiti

/ (ɡræˈfiːtiː) /

pl n singular -to (-təʊ)

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

archaeol inscriptions or drawings scratched or carved onto a surface, esp rock or pottery

Derived Forms

graffitist, noun

Word Origin for graffiti

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012