graffiti
Americannoun
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plural of graffito.
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(used with a plural verb) markings, as initials, slogans, or drawings, written, spray-painted, or sketched on a sidewalk, wall of a building or public restroom, or the like.
These graffiti are evidence of the neighborhood's decline.
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(used with a singular verb) such markings as a whole or as constituting a particular group.
Not much graffiti appears around here these days.
plural noun
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(sometimes with singular verb) drawings, messages, etc, often obscene, scribbled on the walls of public lavatories, advertising posters, etc
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archaeol inscriptions or drawings scratched or carved onto a surface, esp rock or pottery
Usage
In formal speech and writing graffiti takes a plural verb. In less formal contexts it is sometimes considered a mass noun and is used with a singular verb. The singular graffito is found mostly in archaeological and other technical writing.
Other Word Forms
- graffitist noun
Etymology
Origin of graffiti
1850–55; < Italian, plural of graffito incised inscription or design, derivative with -ito -ite 2 of graffiare to scratch, perhaps influenced by presumed Latin *graphīre to write; both probably derivative of Latin graphium stylus < Greek grapheîon; graphic, grapho-, graft 1
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A man has been charged with criminal damage after graffiti was sprayed on the statue of Sir Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, police have said.
From BBC
A 38-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of racially aggravated criminal damage after graffiti was sprayed on the statue of Winston Churchill in Parliament Square, the Metropolitan Police said.
From BBC
In Barcelona, a black graffiti scrawl has appeared on a long gray wall: “Digital Nomads go home!”
The mall had insufficient exterior lighting, the city said and graffiti resulting from deferred or neglected maintenance.
From Los Angeles Times
Removing the graffiti would be “first priority,” he said.
From Los Angeles Times
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
