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

Embrace Singlish English is the main teaching language in Singapore schools, but in practice, most Singaporeans speak Singlish, a hybrid language reflecting the country’s multicultural history that blends English, Mandarin, Hokkien, Malay, Cantonese, and Tamil, and has its own grammar rules. —Audrey Phoon, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Dec. 2024

Here's what each does specifically: Proofread: Checks for grammar and spelling errors. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 30 Nov. 2024

Church leaders involved themselves to make minor adjustments to details such as grammar, but Blosser said the imagery and word choice were left mostly to the youth. —Brennan Stewart, Baltimore Sun, 29 Nov. 2024

This is true to the spirit of a woman whose social media accounts have a let-it-all-hang-out quality, with such correct punctuation and grammar optional. —Alexander Larman, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 29 Nov. 2024

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

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