Showing results for "graffiti"

• plural of graffito.

graffiti

American  

[gruh-fee-tee] / grəˈfi ti /

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.

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graffiti British  

/ 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

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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

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.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

graffiti

Five days after Lopez was arrested, Parchman photographed fresh graffiti on a wall near where Moore was killed.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

Girard has spoken of being inspired by everything from L.A.’s emphasis on social media to commercialism to graffiti art.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 1, 2026

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

Dr Paul Hodgson, Google's technical lead for the operation, told the BBC's Tech Life programme his five-year-old has a more colourful description for the white lines - "sky graffiti".

From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026

The only reason East Shoal knew about the graffiti at all was because Hillpark’s main gym had been closed for several games while they cleaned the floor.

From "Made You Up" by Francesca Zappia