A frescoA painting created directly on fresh wet plaster on a wall or ceiling. is a type of wall painting made on wet plasterA smooth mixture spread on walls and ceilings that hardens as it dries., usually with water-basedContaining water as the main liquid instead of oil or another solvent. paint. The word can also be used as a verb for painting in that way.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /ˈfrɛskoʊ/
Easy pronunciation: FRES-koh (approximate spelling).
Stress: Stress on the first syllable.
Noun meaning a wall painting made on wet plaster using water-based paint.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Fresco Meaning
a painting done on wet plaster on a wall
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a wall painting made on wet plaster using water-based paint
Example: The museum displayed a beautiful Renaissance fresco.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- mural — A mural can be a practical substitute in some contexts, but it is broader and not always a true fresco.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Fresco
Meaning 2
the technique used to paint on wet plaster
Part of speech: noun
Definition: the art or method of painting on wet plaster
Example: She studied the fresco technique in art school.
Meaning 3
to paint a wall while the plaster is still wet
Part of speech: verb
Definition: to paint onto wet plaster on a wall
Example: The artist frescoed the chapel ceiling over several months.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Fresco Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- mural
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes use fresco to mean any wall painting, but a true fresco is painted on wet plaster.
- Do not confuse fresco with mural: every fresco is a mural-like wall painting, but not every mural is a fresco.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does fresco mean in art?
In art, a fresco is a painting made directly on wet plaster, usually on a wall or ceiling.
Is a fresco the same as a mural?
Not exactly. A fresco is a specific kind of mural painted on wet plaster, while mural is the broader word.
Can fresco be a verb?
Yes. As a verb, it means to paint on wet plaster.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.