alfresco

or al fres·co

[ al-fres-koh ]

/ ælˈfrɛs koʊ /

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See synonyms for alfresco on Thesaurus.com

adverb

outdoors; in the open air: to dine alfresco.

adjective

outdoor: an alfresco café.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of alfresco

First recorded in 1710–20; from Italian: “in the cool, in a cool place”; see fresco

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use alfresco in a sentence

Dining facilities include al fresco picnic tables and bucolic fields adjacent to the pastures.
The Secret to This Ice Cream: Pampered Cows|Jane & Michael Stern|May 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Grab your favorite blanket and pack up these delicious dishes that are perfect for al fresco dining in the park.
A Savory Spring Picnic|Jamie & Bobby Deen|April 19, 2011|DAILY BEAST
"No al fresco dining tonight," said John, as the darkening sky was veined by a sudden spray of blue-green light.
The Medici Boots|Pearl Norton Swet
A seat of honour was kept for her at the al fresco banquet, to which Jack gallantly conducted her.
Jack Harkaway's Boy Tinker Among The Turks|Bracebridge Hemyng

Many who were accustomed to restaurants built tables of kerosene cases and dined al fresco.
The Home of the Blizzard|Douglas Mawson
This al fresco chat was the last of Judge North's "opportunities."
Prisoner for Blasphemy|G. W. [George William] Foote
I hear that you too have been enjoying this new delight of al-fresco music in London.
Paris and the Parisians in 1835 (Vol. 2 of 2)|Frances Trollope

British Dictionary definitions for alfresco

alfresco

/ (ælˈfrɛskəʊ) /

adjective, adverb

in the open air

Word Origin for alfresco

C18: from Italian: in the cool

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

alfresco

or al fres·co

Origin of alfresco

Words related to alfresco

How to use alfresco in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for alfresco

Word Origin for alfresco