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

• outside
• out
• outdoors

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

Dinning here is alfresco, and the chef’s menus of world cuisine and Filipino classics change daily. —Laura Dannen Redman, Robb Report, 28 July 2025

Mina’s Egyptian heritage inspires the alfresco Beach House while Trabocchi offers an elevated eight-course Italian tasting menu at Seta su Luminara. —Spencer Whaley, Forbes.com, 10 July 2025

Back at the resort, there are plenty of low-key options, including private art classes, alfresco s’mores, and Alphorn music. —Sarah Bruning, Travel + Leisure, 8 July 2025

Dinner is served under lit lanterns and an expansive starry sky; lunch is also alfresco, sheltered by the towering jungle palms. —Sherrie Nachman, Forbes.com, 2 July 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alfresco

• fresco

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