graffiti

The word “graffiti” means words, drawings, or designs painted or scratched onto a wall or other public surface, often without permission. In plain terms, unauthorized writing or artwork on walls and public surfaces.

“Graffiti” is pronounced gruh-FEE-tee (/ɡɹəˈfi.ti/ in IPA).

Here is “graffiti” used in a sentence: “The underpass walls were covered in colorful graffiti.”

Depending on how it is used, “graffiti” can be a noun and a verb.

The word “graffiti” comes from Ancient Greek. Borrowed from Italian graffiti, the plural of graffito, from graffire ("to scratch"), ultimately from Ancient Greek graphein ("to write").

“Graffiti” is an uncommon word in modern English.

“Graffiti” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: words, drawings, or designs painted or scratched onto a wall or other public surface, often without permission.

"Graffiti" is treated as an uncountable noun in English, even though it originally comes from an Italian plural form. You say "the graffiti is" rather than "the graffiti are," and there is no separate singular form like "a graffito" in common usage.

Not necessarily. The definition centers on marks made on public surfaces "often without permission," meaning unauthorized graffiti is typically considered vandalism, but some graffiti-style art is commissioned or permitted, such as murals created with a property owner's consent.

Graffiti generally refers to writing or drawings placed on a surface without permission, often quickly and informally, while a mural is usually a large, planned artwork created with authorization. Some murals borrow graffiti's visual style, but the key distinction is permission and intent.