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

If the weather’s not quite suited for alfresco hangs, a subterranean level has an indoor pool, plus a sauna for relaxing your weary muscles. —Tori Latham, Robb Report, 17 Oct. 2025

Just outside of town, Dot’s Diner hosts a regular alfresco Supper Club at the Shady Dell Vintage Trailer Park. —Suzanne Wright, USA Today, 13 Oct. 2025

Make reservations to snag a seat in the intimate dining room or an alfresco table on the rocks by the water. —Chrissie McClatchie, Travel + Leisure, 6 Oct. 2025

Additional amenities include two pools (indoor and outdoor), an indoor virtual golf studio, and a beach club with loungers and alfresco dining when the weather is warm. —Katie Chang, AFAR Media, 22 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for alfresco

• fresco

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