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 1)

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

appalled at the bad grammar of college students

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

• ABC(s)
• alphabet
• basics
• elements
• essentials
• fundamentals
• principles
• rudiments

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

The language has a unique vocabulary, grammar and syntax. —Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 May 2025

Word order matters, just like grammar matters in human language. —Sofia Marie Haley, The Conversation, 27 May 2025

Show students what’s appropriate (e.g., brainstorming, grammar checking) and what isn’t (e.g., full ghostwriting). —Dr. Aviva Legatt, Forbes.com, 25 May 2025

That grammar, in turn, appeared to correspond with the content of the conversation: GPT suggested a business suit for the dinner. —Jonathan L. Zittrain, The Atlantic, 21 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English gramere, from Anglo-French gramaire, modification of Latin grammatica, from Greek grammatikē, from feminine of grammatikos of letters, from grammat-, gramma — more at gram

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