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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Protests against the Assad regime spread quickly in the spring of that year after a group of children were arrested and tortured for writing anti-regime graffiti on walls in the city of Deraa. Eyad Kourdi, CNN, 31 Jan. 2025 The order would require agency and department heads to provide the White House with recommendations within 60 days and outline plans for the Department of Justice to investigate pro-Hamas graffiti and intimidation, the Post reported. Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025
Verb
The London Street Art outing where my daughter got to graffiti a butterfly onto a building wall provided some of the cutest pictures from the trip. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2024 In New York City, antisemites graffiti the walls with Jew-hatred. Mike Wagenheim, Sun Sentinel, 22 Dec. 2022 See all Example Sentences for graffiti 

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 7 Feb. 2025.

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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