putto

American  

[poo-toh, poot-taw] / ˈpu toʊ, ˈput tɔ /

noun

Fine Arts.

plural

putti

1. a representation of a cherubic infant, often shown winged.

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putto British  

/ ˈpʊtəʊ /

noun

1. a representation of a small boy, a cherub or cupid, esp in baroque painting or sculpture See also amoretto

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Etymology

Origin of putto

1635–45; < Italian: literally, boy < Latin putus

Example Sentences

Unlike the soft, pliable versions of the Christ child in his early Madonnas, this is a monumental, muscular putto, using his strength to hold that garland aloft.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 24, 2026

The view consisted of a rectangular, tiled pool hedged with silvery artemisia bushes; at one end stood a garden-gnome lump of a reproduction putto, coyly peeing into the water.

From Time Magazine Archive

Thayr surnames be putto lest any man hereafter shuld vsurpe any D iiij.cause of thayr prayse.

From The Pilgrimage of Pure Devotion by Erasmus, Desiderius

The same tendencies are to be noted in the bronze putto at the Bargello.

From Encyclopaedia Britannica, 11th Edition, Volume 8, Slice 6 "Dodwell" to "Drama" by Various

And his beautiful putto, boy and dolphin, are loved by everyone.

From Voices from the Past by Bartlett, Paul Alexander