adverb
al fresco
al FRES-koh
Al fresco (adverb) means Outdoors, in the open air, especially when eating or drinking. Example: “We ate al fresco on the terrace until the light went.”
adverb
1
Outdoors, in the open air, especially when eating or drinking.
"We ate al fresco on the terrace until the light went."
"They dined al fresco under a string of lanterns."
adjective
1
Taking place or designed for use outdoors.
"The pub has added an al fresco dining area."
"An al fresco wedding sounds lovely until it rains."
How to use al fresco
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishIt means outside, in the open air.
When to use it
Slightly decorative; common in restaurant, travel and property writing.
Memory tip
It is not italicised in modern English writing, as it is now treated as a fully naturalised phrase.
Trace the full origin ↓
Easily confused with
Common pairings
dine al fresco
al fresco dining
al fresco lunch
al fresco seating
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Fill the gap
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We ate _____ on the terrace until the light went.
Etymology
From Italian al fresco, literally 'in the fresh (air)'.
Related words
Rhymes for al fresco
See all rhymes for al fresco →Frequently asked questions
Is it al fresco or alfresco?
Both spellings are correct and widely used. British dictionaries tend to prefer the single word 'alfresco', while American usage more often keeps the two words 'al fresco'; pick one and stay consistent within a piece of writing.
Does al fresco mean the same thing in Italian?
Not quite. In Italian, 'al fresco' most naturally means 'in the cool', and the phrase for eating outside is 'all'aperto'. English borrowed it with the fixed meaning of dining outdoors.
Can al fresco describe anything besides eating?
Yes, though dining dominates. You can hold an al fresco concert, meeting or class, and the word simply signals that it happens outside rather than under a roof.
What is the meaning of al fresco?
"al fresco" (adverb) means outdoors, in the open air, especially when eating or drinking.
