graffiti
Americannoun
-
plural of graffito.
-
(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.
plural noun
-
(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
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
Language Gone Wrong: Words That Started Out as Errors
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
All American Boys
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
List 7
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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.
On our way up here, we had passed graffiti flamingos on the sides of bunkers and on the path itself, but he had made no reference to them in his spiel about the island’s history.
From Slate ● Sep. 8, 2026
From above, standing at the viewpoint, graffiti is visible on the roof.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 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
We are presented, for instance, with some of the many graffiti that were etched into the walls of backrooms and stairwells where enslaved people made their lives.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 21, 2026
“It’s not a huge secret, but I’m Batman...of the Manhattan graffiti world,” Gabriella says.
From "They Both Die at the End" by Adam Silvera
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.
