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

Dotted with palm trees, the wraparound yard hosts a large swimming pool with a Baja shelf and a spillover spa, along with several spots ideal for alfresco lounging and entertaining. — Wendy Bowman, Robb Report, 29 June 2026

Learn how to cook lionfish ceviche, jerk chicken, and more with a group of like-minded people from all over the world, concluding with an alfresco feast—a true one-of-a-kind connection between strangers. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 26 June 2026

The outdoor Pergola Bar & Cafe with alfresco seating for 50 will make its debut July 1, as will the ground-level cocktail bar in the sushi area. — Linda Zavoral, Mercury News, 23 June 2026

Rawlinna and Kalgoorlie Travelers headed westbound stop at Rawlinna, the country’s largest sheep station, for an evening under the stars and an alfresco dinner, weather permitting. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 30 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alfresco

• fresco

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