alfresco

adjective or adverb

al·​fres·​co al-ˈfre-(ˌ)skō 

: taking place or located in the open air : outdoor, outdoors

an alfresco lunch

an alfresco café

dining alfresco

Did you know?

In addition to describing a type of dining, alfresco can also describe a kind of painting. The word fresco, which comes from the Italian adjective fresco, meaning "fresh," refers to a method of painting on fresh plaster. Although the "outdoors" sense of alfresco is by far the most common in current use, the term is sometimes used to describe painting done in the fresco manner—that is, on fresh plaster.

Synonyms of alfresco

• outdoor

Examples of alfresco in a Sentence

the restaurant's shaded terrace is highly recommended for those seeking to dine alfresco

during the summer months, the theater company puts on a series of alfresco performances

Recent Examples on the Web

The Pink Beach Club, one of Bermuda’s best new restaurants, does breakfast, lunch, and dinner with aplomb, complete with a blissful view of the Atlantic—the alfresco beachfront restaurant is completely open to the coastline on every side. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

From seafood institutions and chic hideaways to fun new openings, each terrace is a decent size and combines a distinctive setting with excellent food, making the most of London’s increasingly longer (and hotter) alfresco season. — Joanne Shurvell, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

Meanwhile, the Morena outdoor dining chair looks like the perfect seat to enjoy an icy beverage on a quiet afternoon or an alfresco meal with the whole family. — Audrey Lee, Architectural Digest, 6 July 2026

And, unlike an alfresco spritz, spritz nails can be worn year-round as a reminder of warmer nights. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 5 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alfresco

• fresco

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