Corinthian

1 of 2

noun

Co·​rin·​thi·​an kə-ˈrin(t)-thē-ən How to pronounce Corinthian (audio)
1
: a native or resident of Corinth, Greece
2
: a merry profligate man

Corinthian

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Corinth or Corinthians
2
: of or relating to the lightest and most ornate of the three ancient Greek architectural orders distinguished especially by its large capitals decorated with carved acanthus leaves see order illustration

Examples of Corinthian in a Sentence

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.
Adjective
The architectural showstopper, flanked by grand Corinthian arches, is considered one of the British capital’s most elegant and exclusive addresses, a magnet for high-profile names past and present. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 16 June 2025 Four Seasons at Tower Bridge is grand in scale — think domed ceilings, Corinthian columns, and hushed corridors echoing with 1920s glamour — but down in the spa, everything softens. Rooksana Hossenally, Forbes.com, 14 June 2025 There are four front steps bracketed by two huge urns, half a dozen Corinthian columns, and six life-size maidens, possible goddesses. Paige Williams, New Yorker, 2 June 2025 All that remains of this once-sprawling antebellum mansion are 23 Corinthian columns, rising unexpectedly from the forest. Symiah Dorsey, Southern Living, 24 May 2025 As a bonus, the sellers are throwing in a 51-foot yacht, a Sea Ray 510 held at the nearby Corinthian Yacht Club, plus a 60-foot private slip at Pier 39 in San Francisco that makes exploring local waterways and getting back and forth to the city a breeze. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 14 May 2025 In addition to the interior amenities, the estate features an array of waterfront offerings, including a 51-foot yacht currently berthed at the Corinthian Yacht Club, as well as a coveted 60-foot slip at San Francisco’s Pier 39. Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 9 May 2025 At delicious San Lorenzo, inside Hotel St. Vincent, Italian classics get reimagined with Creole ingredients—catfish schnitzel, caviar beignets—under chandeliers and Corinthian columns. David Hochman, Forbes.com, 24 Apr. 2025 Like many before him who have tried and failed, Ainslie desperately wants to drag the America’s Cup away from its traditional, Corinthian roots and move the event to a more modern, commercially viable footing. Andrew Rice, New York Times, 22 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Corinthian was in 1520

Cite this Entry

“Corinthian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Corinthian. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

Corinthian

adjective
Co·​rin·​thi·​an
kə-ˈrin(t)-thē-ən
: of or relating to a style of Greek architecture characterized by a bell-shaped capital covered with sculptured leaves
Etymology

Adjective

named for Corinth, region and city in ancient Greece

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