WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025
sfu•ma•to
(sfo̅o̅ mä′tō),USA pronunciation n. [Fine Arts.]
- Fine Artthe subtle and minute gradation of tone and color used to blur or veil the contours of a form in painting.
- Latin fumāre; see fume
- Latin ex- ex-1 + fumare to smoke
- Italian, past participle of sfumare to gradate tone or color, equivalent. to s-
- 1840–50