What does stucco mean?
Stucco is a type of plaster used to create a smooth or decorative finish on walls, ceilings, and other surfaces. In American English, it is especially common in construction and interior design, where it may refer both to the material and to the finished coating. The word can also be used for plaster that contains small particles of stone or other aggregate, producing a textured surface. As a verb, stucco means to apply such plaster, usually as part of building or renovation work. Stucco has a long architectural history: the technique was used extensively in ancient Roman construction and was later transmitted through Italian and European building traditions. Today, it appears in both traditional Mediterranean-style architecture and modern homes, where it can provide a durable, ornamental alternative to exposed masonry. Although the word sounds technical, it is familiar to anyone who has encountered decorated walls or heard of stucco homes.
A fine plaster or similar coating material used to cover walls, ceilings, and other surfaces, often to create a smooth, textured, or decorative finish.
"The house was finished with pale stucco and dark timber details."
Stucco can function as a mass noun referring to the material or as a countable noun referring to a particular coating or section of plasterwork. The plural is uncommon.
To apply stucco to a wall, ceiling, or other surface.
"They stuccoed the porch before painting it a deep blue."
The verb is transitive and is normally used in construction, renovation, or interior-design contexts.
The plural is uncommon because stucco is often used as a mass noun. In some dictionaries, stuccoes is also accepted.
"Several decorative stuccos remain on the building's facade."
From Italian architecture to modern interiors, stucco has long been used to turn plain walls into decorative surfaces.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does stucco come from?
The English word stucco comes from Italian stucco, which derives from the Latin stuccum. The Latin term referred to a plaster or coating material, although its further ancient origins are uncertain. The Italian form entered English during the Renaissance or later through the language and building practices of southern Europe. The related Italian words stuccato, stuccatura, stuccatore, and stuccare reflect the same plastering and decorative-finishing tradition.
Related word forms
How stucco is actually used
Stucco is used in British and American English, though its frequency and the specific materials it denotes can vary by region. As a countable noun, the plural stuccos is uncommon; stucco is also frequently used as a mass noun. The verb is mainly transitive: a person or contractor stuccoes a wall.