Co·rin·thi·an
kə-ˈrin(t)-thē-ən 
1
: a native or resident of Corinth, Greece
2
: a merry profligate man
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
Anne Kadet, Curbed, 12 June 2026
The grand walled Greco-Roman settlement is entered through 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch and includes the Temple of Zeus, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis and the Forum’s oval colonnade of 56 Corinthian columns.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Visitors enter through 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch and find the Temple of Zeus, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis and a forum ringed by 56 Corinthian columns.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Its 118-foot pediments would be the largest in Washington and its seventy-two Corinthian columns were each over 53 feet high and weighed 95 tons.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Corinthian columns, with their acanthus leaves and richer ornament, signal display, monumentality, and theatrical grandeur.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 6 May 2026
The columns that will support the ballroom’s south colonnade have Corinthian capitals, the most ornate type of decorative top for a column.
—Kevin D. Murphy, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
As the beautiful Corinthian columns of electronic music, the bands — being combined as a singular project — gave rise to an entire genre.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
There was no talk of Corinthian columns or gold leaf accents.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
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Adjective
Those in need of a 12-foot Corinthian pillar, elaborate crown moldings, or a rococo ceiling medallion should place their orders ASAP.
—Anne Kadet, Curbed, 12 June 2026
The grand walled Greco-Roman settlement is entered through 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch and includes the Temple of Zeus, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis and the Forum’s oval colonnade of 56 Corinthian columns.
—Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 3 June 2026
Visitors enter through 2nd-century Hadrian’s Arch and find the Temple of Zeus, the Hippodrome, the Temple of Artemis and a forum ringed by 56 Corinthian columns.
—Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 3 June 2026
Its 118-foot pediments would be the largest in Washington and its seventy-two Corinthian columns were each over 53 feet high and weighed 95 tons.
—Literary Hub, 13 May 2026
Corinthian columns, with their acanthus leaves and richer ornament, signal display, monumentality, and theatrical grandeur.
—Israel Melendez Ayala, Time, 6 May 2026
The columns that will support the ballroom’s south colonnade have Corinthian capitals, the most ornate type of decorative top for a column.
—Kevin D. Murphy, The Conversation, 10 Apr. 2026
As the beautiful Corinthian columns of electronic music, the bands — being combined as a singular project — gave rise to an entire genre.
—Devon Ivie, Vulture, 2 Apr. 2026
There was no talk of Corinthian columns or gold leaf accents.
—Aidan McLaughlin, Vanity Fair, 2 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Corinthian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Corinthian. Accessed 24 Jun. 2026.
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