sfumato

[ sfoo-mah-toh ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, Fine Arts.

the subtle and minute gradation of tone and color used to blur or veil the contours of a form in painting.

sfumato

/ sfuːˈmɑːtəʊ /

noun

(in painting) a gradual transition between areas of different colour, avoiding sharp outlines

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of sfumato¹

1840–50; < Italian, past participle of sfumare to gradate tone or color, equivalent to s- < Latin ex- ex- ¹ + fumare to smoke < Latin fumāre; fume

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of sfumato¹

from Italian, from sfumato shaded off, from sfumare to shade off, from Latin ex- ¹+ fūmāre to smoke

Discover More

Example Sentences

It is like a picture, or a succession of pictures, painted in what the Italians call the sfumato, or "smoky" manner.

From Project Gutenberg

All the secrets of richness, softness, and morbidenza, all the mysteries of pastoso and sfumato were his.

From Project Gutenberg

The gods were everything and nothing; they got lost in a sfumato.

From Project Gutenberg

Word of the Day

April 18, 2024petrichor

[pet-ri-kawr]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

SFr.SFW

Browse