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 1a)

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

"Him and I went" is bad grammar.

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 of grammar

• principles
• elements

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

Tiley remains one of the most important figures in Kosta’s life, the voice that is always telling him to push harder, to check the spelling and grammar on his text messages. — Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 31 July 2026

The candidates’ answers were fact checked, checked for spelling and grammar but otherwise unedited. — Orlando Sentinel Staff, The Orlando Sentinel, 31 July 2026

Attendees can expect grammar review, practice reading aloud in Finnish and other language learning activities. — Veronica Fernandez-Alvarado july 29, Sacbee.com, 29 July 2026

The young are searching for a new political grammar rooted in democracy and accountability. — Yamini Aiyar, Time, 29 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English grammer, gramere "rules of the Latin language," borrowed from Anglo-French gramaire "rules of Latin, the Latin language" (Old French also "book of sorcery"), borrowed (with native treatment of suffixal elements) from Latin grammatica, grammaticē "study of literature and language," borrowed from Greek grammatikḗ, noun derivative from feminine of grammatikós "pertaining to reading and writing, literate, linguistically correct," from grammat-, grámma "drawing, letter, (in plural) reading and writing, literature" — more at gram entry 2

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

Rhymes for grammar

• amor
• clamor
• clamour
• glamor
• glamour
• hammer
• jammer
• rammer
• stammer
• programmer
• sledgehammer
• tetramer

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