alfresco

adjective or adverb

al·​fres·​co al-ˈfre-(ˌ)skō How to pronounce alfresco (audio)
: 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.

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 cockpit is equipped with plush wrap-around seating, a fridge, and a sink, meaning guests can enjoy alfresco hangouts at sea. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 9 Sep. 2024 Local shops and historic hotels line the road, and as the town climbs into the Mule Mountains, narrow stairways — including some that have been transformed into alfresco art galleries — provide European-style foot access. Travel + Leisure Editors, Travel + Leisure, 5 Sep. 2024 Take in the views over lunch The draw at Bocca, a popular lunch spot, is its nearly 2,700-square-foot rooftop terrace offering a shady, alfresco view of the colorful square Cours Saleya. Chloé Braithwaite, New York Times, 25 July 2024 And while walls of windows provide expansive vistas of the city, the private 1,500-square-foot terrace offers alfresco views of the buzz below. Kelly Dawson, Architectural Digest, 19 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for alfresco 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'alfresco.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Italian

First Known Use

1753, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of alfresco was in 1753

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Dictionary Entries Near alfresco

Cite this Entry

“Alfresco.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/alfresco. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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