noun
Uncommon
fresco
FREHS-koh
Fresco (noun) means a painting made by applying pigment onto wet plaster, so the colour becomes part of the wall as it dries. Example: “Michelangelo painted the famous frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.”
noun
1
A painting made by applying pigment onto wet plaster, so the colour becomes part of the wall as it dries.
"Michelangelo painted the famous frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling."
"Tourists lined up to see the medieval frescoes in the old cathedral."
How to use fresco
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA wall or ceiling painting made on wet plaster.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
paint a fresco
ceiling fresco
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Word forms
- Plural
- frescos, frescoes, freschi
- Third person singular
- frescoes
- Past tense
- frescoed
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Michelangelo painted the famous _____ on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.
Etymology
From Italian fresco, meaning "fresh," referring to painting onto freshly laid, still-damp plaster. It shares its ultimate root with the English words "fresh" and "frisk."
Rhymes for fresco
See all rhymes for fresco →Frequently asked questions
What does “fresco” mean?
The word “fresco” means a painting made by applying pigment onto wet plaster, so the colour becomes part of the wall as it dries. In plain terms, a wall or ceiling painting made on wet plaster.
How do you pronounce “fresco”?
“Fresco” is pronounced FREHS-koh (/ˈfɹɛskoʊ/ in IPA).
How do you use “fresco” in a sentence?
Here is “fresco” used in a sentence: “Michelangelo painted the famous frescoes on the Sistine Chapel ceiling.”
What part of speech is “fresco”?
“Fresco” is a noun.
Where does the word “fresco” come from?
The word “fresco” comes from Italian. From Italian fresco, meaning "fresh," referring to painting onto freshly laid, still-damp plaster. It shares its ultimate root with the English words "fresh" and "frisk.".
Is “fresco” a common word?
“Fresco” is an uncommon word in modern English.
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