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

Even now, after the city has clamped down on the free-for-all, with a new show of force by the Los Angeles Police Department and some modest cleanup efforts since the end of February, a few artists are still getting onsite and leaving more graffiti on the buildings. —Steve Appleford, Rolling Stone, 1 Apr. 2024

There was graffiti on the vacant house next door, and a neighbor had warned about the kids who partied there. —Cindy Chang, Los Angeles Times, 20 Mar. 2024

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