ornate

adjective

or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt 

1

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

He 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 of ornate

• baroque
• decorated
• adorned
• extravagant
• ornamented
• gilded
• florid
• loud
• lacy
• overwrought
• gingerbread
• overdecorated

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

Other architectural highlights of SLO included a walkthrough of the garish and ornate Madonna Inn, a Disneyland-esque hotel and restaurant. — David G. Allan, CNN Money, 22 Sep. 2026

The Empire State Building and its ornate Art Deco spire proved to be the most challenging part. — CBS News, 18 Sep. 2026

Setting aside extraneously ornate and potentially uncomfortable earrings was par for the course, right? — Julia Hobbs, Vogue, 18 Sep. 2026

Each house holds a standard taper candle and features ornate facades, tiny windows, and rooftops covered in the brand’s signature black-and-white checks. — Sarah Scott, Better Homes & Gardens, 18 Sep. 2026

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

Rhymes for ornate

• abate
• airfreight
• await
• baseplate
• berate
• birthdate
• birthrate
• bookplate
• borate
• breastplate
• bromate
• casemate

Kids Definition

ornate

adjective

or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt 

: decorated in a fancy way

ornately adverb

ornateness noun