ornate

adjective

or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt How to pronounce ornate (audio)
Synonyms of ornate
1
: marked by elaborate rhetoric (see rhetoric sense 2b) or florid (see florid sense 1a) style
He is clear and simple rather than ornate and pompous.—The Times Literary Supplement (London)
2
: elaborately or excessively decorated
an ornate mantle
an ornate townhouse
ornate chandeliers
ornately adverb
ornateness noun

Synonyms of ornate

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Examples of ornate in a Sentence

She doesn't like ornate jewelry. an ornate gambling casino that is designed to look like an Italian palace
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Diners can expect a white-glove experience under a ceiling of ornate blue and gold frescoes by Gustave Jaulmes and Adrien Karbowsky. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026 The instrument was one of two small, ornate trumpets — one silver, the other thought to be bronze or copper — found among Tutankhamun’s treasures over a decade and a half earlier. — Sheena McKenzie, CNN Money, 10 Aug. 2026 Church representatives hosted several open houses for the public to see the new temple’s ornate rooms. — ABC News, 6 Aug. 2026 The star of the excavation was an ornate Roman mosaic made of thousands of tiny stone cubes arranged in a floral pattern. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 5 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for ornate

Word History

Etymology

Middle English ornat, from Latin ornatus, past participle of ornare to furnish, embellish; akin to Latin ordo order — more at order

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of ornate was in the 15th century

Rhymes for ornate

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Browse Nearby Words

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ornate
ornate aphid
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Cite this Entry

“Ornate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornate. Accessed 13 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

ornate

adjective
or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt How to pronounce ornate (audio)
: decorated in a fancy way
ornately adverb
ornateness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ornate

Nglish: Translation of ornate for Spanish Speakers

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