graffiti

1 of 2

noun

graf·​fi·​ti grə-ˈfē-(ˌ)tē How to pronounce graffiti (audio)
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 How to pronounce graffiti (audio)
gra-,
grä-
also graffiting grə-ˈfē-tiŋ How to pronounce graffiti (audio)
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
In 2023, the exterior of iconic Canter’s Deli was defaced with pro-Palestinian graffiti. Gary Baum, The Hollywood Reporter, 2 May 2024 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 See all Example Sentences for graffiti 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'graffiti.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of graffiti was in 1945

Dictionary Entries Near graffiti

Cite this Entry

“Graffiti.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/graffiti. Accessed 3 Jun. 2024.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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