# stucco

/ˈstəkoʊ/ (US) · /stˈʌkəʊ/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/stucco
Updated: 2026-08-27

## Senses

### 1. building material

noun · CEFR C1 · Technical

a type of plaster used to cover the outside or inside walls of a building.

For teachers: a material consisting of an aggregate, a binder, and water, applied wet and hardening to a very dense solid; used as a coating for walls and ceilings.

- The white stucco walls of the villa stayed cool even in the hot afternoon sun.
- The architect specified a traditional lime-based stucco for the exterior to ensure the historic building could breathe while resisting moisture.

Usage: Often used as an uncountable noun when referring to the material itself.

### 2. decorative work

noun · CEFR C2 · Technical · Formal

decorative patterns or shapes made from plaster on walls or ceilings.

For teachers: architectural ornamentation or mouldings executed in stucco.

- The ceiling was decorated with beautiful stucco flowers and leaves.
- The palace interior is renowned for its elaborate Baroque stucco, featuring intricate cherubs and floral garlands that frame the grand mirrors.

## Examples

- The old house has a white stucco exterior.
- The contractor applied a fresh coat of stucco to the building's facade to protect it from the summer heat.
- Traditional Mediterranean architecture often features thick stucco finishes that reflect sunlight and provide a natural cooling effect during the hottest months of the year.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.