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
Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The head of a federal arts commission is proposing the more ornate Corinthian style for the nearly 200-year-old columns at the building’s front entrance.
—Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Underneath the temple’s Corinthian columns, three subterranean pipelines from Arroyo de la Laguna, Alameda Creek and Pleasanton supplied half of San Francisco’s water supply during the early 20th century.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
The Temple of Hadrian, a modest-sized Corinthian-style structure facing Curetes Street, is among the most elegant buildings in Ephesus.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
At a tiny piazza near the water, two magnificent Corinthian columns stand atop a staircase as honorific harbor monuments.
—Erica Firpo, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Framed by a lagoon and Corinthian colonnades, its Beaux-Arts grandeur evokes that of ancient Rome.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The ballroom will also feature gold chandeliers, an ornate coffered ceiling, Greek Corinthian columns and tall, arched windows on each wall, in addition to room for a number of round tables and gold chairs.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
The original cement floors have been stripped and waxed and the Corinthian capitals atop the columns, which had been covered by several layers of paint, have been stripped to reveal the original concrete details.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 22 Nov. 2025
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Adjective
The building’s limestone and stucco exterior is badly cracked, and four of the Corinthian pillars in the colonnade are close to fracturing.
—Andres Viglucci, Miami Herald, 17 Mar. 2026
The head of a federal arts commission is proposing the more ornate Corinthian style for the nearly 200-year-old columns at the building’s front entrance.
—Dan Diamond, Washington Post, 15 Mar. 2026
Underneath the temple’s Corinthian columns, three subterranean pipelines from Arroyo de la Laguna, Alameda Creek and Pleasanton supplied half of San Francisco’s water supply during the early 20th century.
—Chase Hunter, Mercury News, 8 Mar. 2026
The Temple of Hadrian, a modest-sized Corinthian-style structure facing Curetes Street, is among the most elegant buildings in Ephesus.
—Maureen O'Hare, CNN Money, 9 Feb. 2026
At a tiny piazza near the water, two magnificent Corinthian columns stand atop a staircase as honorific harbor monuments.
—Erica Firpo, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026
Framed by a lagoon and Corinthian colonnades, its Beaux-Arts grandeur evokes that of ancient Rome.
—Lewis Nunn, Forbes.com, 22 Jan. 2026
The ballroom will also feature gold chandeliers, an ornate coffered ceiling, Greek Corinthian columns and tall, arched windows on each wall, in addition to room for a number of round tables and gold chairs.
—Angel Saunders, PEOPLE, 28 Nov. 2025
The original cement floors have been stripped and waxed and the Corinthian capitals atop the columns, which had been covered by several layers of paint, have been stripped to reveal the original concrete details.
—Lou Ponsi, Oc Register, 22 Nov. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Corinthian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Corinthian. Accessed 25 Mar. 2026.
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