putto

noun put·to \ ˈpü-(ˌ)tō \

Updated on: 18 Apr 2018

Definition of putto

plural putti play \-(ˌ)tē\

: a figure of an infant boy especially in European art of the Renaissance —usually used in plural

Recent Examples of putto from the Web

These were the sorts of meals involving heaping plates of pasta and red sauce in a restaurant festooned with clichés: murals of gondolas, peasants and putti, a soundtrack heavy with accordion and kitsch.

— patrick comiskey, latimes.com, "Wines of the week: 3 great bottles of Chianti," 5 Apr. 2018
The colorful knitwear that featured cherubic putti in oval frames looked inspired by church ceilings, and angelic visages also graced motorcycle jackets.

— colleen barry, The Seattle Times, "Versace goes punk wild with homey looks," 13 Jan. 2018
Here are lovely interiors by Pietro Longhi and mythological and religious paintings featuring tumbling, bare-breasted nymphs and chubby, nude putti by Giovanni Battista Tiepolo.

— lance esplund, WSJ, "‘Casanova: The Seduction of Europe’ Review: Lusting After Beauty," 11 Sep. 2017
The most recent owner had layered on some unfortunate touches, including cherubic putti statues in the pool area and a crystal chandelier in the bathroom.

— nancy hass, ELLE Decor, "How Two Hollywood Power Players Modernized Their Midcentury LA Home," 25 Mar. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'putto.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.