What does graffiti mean?
Graffiti refers to writing, drawings, or images made on walls and other public surfaces, frequently without the property owner's permission. The word is usually treated as a mass noun in modern English, so speakers may say a piece of graffiti rather than a graffiti. It can describe an accepted artistic form, an urban subculture, or unauthorized vandalism, depending on the speaker's attitude and the context. Graffiti is also used more broadly for messages, tags, characters, and murals associated with public-space art. The word comes from Italian graffiti, the plural of graffito, ultimately from a Greek root meaning “to write.” Its history illustrates how borrowing can preserve a foreign plural form and how a word can develop a mass-noun meaning in English. Today it is common in journalism, art criticism, education, and everyday conversation.
Writing, drawings, or images made on walls or other public surfaces, often without the owner's permission.
"A new piece of graffiti appeared on the railway bridge."
Usually a mass noun; use a piece of graffiti for an individual mark.
To write or paint graffiti on a surface.
"The building had been graffitied with colourful lettering."
Informal and most often used for unauthorized marking, though it can also describe artistic activity.
Graffiti is normally used as a mass noun. Graffitis is an attested plural form, while graffitos is also encountered; for one mark, a piece of graffiti is usually more natural.
"Several graffitis appeared on the newly painted wall."
Graffiti is unusual: it began as a singular Italian word, graffito, but English commonly uses the Italian plural, graffiti, and often treats the word as a mass noun.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does graffiti come from?
Graffiti comes from the Italian plural of graffito, a word derived from the Italian graffiare, “to scratch,” which is related to Greek graphein, “to write.” English borrowed the word in the nineteenth century, initially in discussions of inscriptions and markings on ancient surfaces. The Italian plural form became established in English, although singular graffito is also used. Words such as graph, paragraph, and photograph share the same ancient writing-related root.
Related word forms
How graffiti is actually used
Graffiti is an informal word whose connotation depends on context: it may refer neutrally or approvingly to an artistic practice, or critically to unauthorized marking and vandalism. It is used in British and American English and has no strong regional restriction.
Easily confused with graffiti
A graffito is an individual mark or inscription, whereas graffiti is the usual English collective or mass noun for writing, drawings, and images made on public surfaces.