ornate

adjective

or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt 

1

: marked by elaborate rhetoric (see rhetoric sense 2b) or florid (see florid sense 1a) style

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

• bedizened
• florid
• fussy
• gingerbread
• gingerbreaded
• gingerbready
• overdecorated
• overwrought

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

The gatehouse, known for its ornate Victorian Gothic design, includes an arched gateway at Calvary Cemetery's entrance, a bell tower, and a two-story building that served as the cemetery office as well as a residence for caretakers and their families. —Tom Daykin, Journal Sentinel, 10 Apr. 2024

Underneath the enamel lies an ornate pattern that combines the jeweler’s signature guilloché with engraved octopus tentacles. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 26 Mar. 2024

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

Kids Definition

ornate

adjective

or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt 

: decorated in a fancy way

ornately adverb

ornateness noun