grammar

noun

gram·​mar ˈgra-mər 

1

a

: the study of the classes of words, their inflections (see inflection sense 2), and their functions and relations in the sentence

b

: a study of what is to be preferred and what avoided in inflection (see inflection sense 2) and syntax (see syntax sense 1a)

2

a

: the characteristic system of inflections (see inflection sense 2) and syntax of a language

b

: a system of rules that defines the grammatical structure of a language

3

a

: a grammar textbook

b

: speech or writing evaluated according to its conformity to grammatical rules

"Him and I went" is bad grammar.

4

: the principles or rules of an art, science, or technique

a grammar of the theater

also : a set of such principles or rules

grammarian

grə-ˈmer-ē-ən 

noun

Synonyms of grammar

• principles
• elements

Examples of grammar in a Sentence

English grammar can be hard to master.

comparing English and Japanese grammar

comparing the grammars of English and Japanese

“Him and I went” is bad grammar.

I know some German, but my grammar isn't very good.

Recent Examples on the Web

At the Lia Rumantscha, a handful of young linguists set about producing grammars and dictionaries, translating government documents, and coining words on the fly. —Simon Akam, New Yorker, 1 Dec. 2025

Today’s chatbots do far more than mimic grammar. —Kaif Shaikh, Interesting Engineering, 28 Nov. 2025

Through advancements in large language models, real-time speech recognition and natural text-to-speech, learners can now practice speaking anytime and receive instant feedback on pronunciation, tone and grammar. —Adam Mills, MSNBC Newsweek, 28 Nov. 2025

Such changes were never about mere sound and grammar. —Literary Hub, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grammer, gramere "rules of the Latin language," borrowed from Anglo-French gramaire "rules of Latin, the Latin language" (Old French also "book of sorcery"), borrowed (with native treatment of suffixal elements) from Latin grammatica, grammaticē "study of literature and language," borrowed from Greek grammatikḗ, noun derivative from feminine of grammatikós "pertaining to reading and writing, literate, linguistically correct," from grammat-, grámma "drawing, letter, (in plural) reading and writing, literature" — more at gram entry 2

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing grammar

• generative grammar
• grammar checker
• grammar school
• relational grammar
• stratificational grammar
• transformational grammar
• universal grammar

Rhymes for grammar

• amor
• clamor
• clamour
• glamor
• glamour
• hammer
• jammer
• rammer
• stammer
• programmer
• sledgehammer
• tetramer

Video

The Serial Comma Explained

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

Kids Definition

grammar

noun

gram·​mar ˈgram-ər 

1

: the study of the classes of words, their inflections, and their functions and relations in a language

2

: the facts of language with which grammar deals

3

a

: a grammar textbook

b

: speech or writing evaluated according to its conformity to grammatical rules

"Him and I went" is bad grammar

Etymology

Middle English gramere, from early French gramaire (same meaning), from Latin grammatica (same meaning), derived from Greek gramma "letter, piece of writing," derived from graphein "to write" — related to graffito, -gram, -graph