graffiti

1 of 2

noun

graf·​fi·​ti grə-ˈfē-(ˌ)tē 

gra-,

grä-

: usually unauthorized writing or drawing on a public surface

Is graffiti singular or plural?: Usage Guide

Graffiti, which also serves as the plural of graffito, is commonly used as a singular mass noun.

graffiti … was depressing people who rode the subways

—New Yorker

graffiti comes in various styles

—S. K. Oberbeck

This use is well established although not yet as well established as the mass-noun use of data. Use of graffiti as a singular count noun is still quite rare and is not standard.

graffiti

2 of 2

verb

graffitied; graffitiing grə-ˈfē-(ˌ)tē-iŋ 

gra-,

grä-

also graffiting grə-ˈfē-tiŋ 

gra-,

grä-

transitive verb

: to draw graffiti on : to deface with graffiti

graffitied walls

Examples of graffiti in a Sentence

Noun

The walls of the old building are covered with graffiti.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The building appeared to have been marked with pro-Palestinian graffiti. —Marilyn Heck, ABC News, 12 June 2024

That imposing perimeter — with some shipping containers now covered with colorful graffiti — remained in place all spring, as many student activists channeled their energies into a pro-Palestinian encampment on the steps of Sproul Plaza. —Jessica Garrison, Los Angeles Times, 6 June 2024

Verb

In New York City, antisemites graffiti the walls with Jew-hatred. —Mike Wagenheim, Sun Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2022

The announcement follows a weekend of protests in the United Kingdom, where on June 7, protesters tore down a statue of slave trader Edward Colston in Bristol and graffitied a statue of Sir Winston Churchill in London. —Mélissa Godin, Time, 9 June 2020

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

Italian, plural of graffito

First Known Use

Noun

1945, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1964, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

graffiti

noun

graf·​fi·​ti

grə-ˈfēt-ē

: usually unlawful writing or drawing on a public surface

graffiti verb

Etymology

Noun

Italian, plural of graffito