ornate

adjective

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

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.
One of the new additions to the lobby is a replica of a 1925 chandelier, recreated by artisans from photos that were discovered of the original ornate light fixture. Michelle F. Solomon, Miami Herald, 13 Sep. 2025 Dakota Johnson Johnson married the ubiquity of a red carpet sheer dressing moment with ornate embroidery in her Gucci look. Julia Teti, Footwear News, 12 Sep. 2025 Yet the apartment’s historic roots are palpable in its floor-to-ceiling windows and ornate plasterwork, and a morning coffee or evening glass of wine on the balcony overlooking a carousel on Lino Ventura Place will transport you into another century. Madeline Weinfield, Architectural Digest, 11 Sep. 2025 Seven levels of the gallery rise around a central staircase of frosted glass and ornate brass balustrades that seem to float upward, and a glass modern elevator that blends modern with classical chic. Erica Wertheim Zohar, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Ornate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornate. Accessed 15 Sep. 2025.

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

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