graffiti

1 of 3

noun

graf·​fi·​ti grə-ˈfē-(ˌ)tē 

gra-, 

grä-

: usually unauthorized markings (as of words, symbols, or images) on a public surface (such as a building, bridge, train car, etc.)

A kaleidoscope of graffiti hugs the sides of abandoned buildings.

—Emil Wilbekin

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 3

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

graffiti

3 of 3

plural of graffito

Examples of graffiti in a Sentence

Noun

The walls of the old building are covered with graffiti.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

On one corner, an old Family Dollar store stands covered in graffiti. — Debbie Elliott, NPR, 20 Sep. 2026

Roos van Sonderen and de Vlieger met in the late ’90s in the northern Dutch town of Groningen, first as graffiti artists who began working together on electronic music. — Katie Bain, Billboard, 17 Sep. 2026

Verb

Perhaps most notably, Amarillo is home to Cadillac Ranch, a public art installation featuring 10 Cadillacs buried in a field—uniquely, visitors are encouraged to graffiti the cars with spray paint. — Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 21 Feb. 2026

Bluer did so, in part, by holding the spray-paint can in the 12-year-old's hand while forcing the minor to graffiti the walls. — Christina Hall, Freep.com, 19 Mar. 2025

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

Rhymes for graffiti

• banditti
• cochiti
• entreaty
• wapiti
• beati
• beaty
• meaty
• peaty
• sweetie
• treaty

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