1
: marked by elaborate rhetoric (see rhetoric sense 2b) or florid (see florid sense 1a) style
He is clear and simple rather than ornate and pompous.—
The Times Literary Supplement (London)
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
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
Adorned with layered drapery, ornate woodwork, and velvet upholstered desk chairs, the spacious guest rooms feel presidential.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
The house’s marble fireplaces, ceiling medallions, pocket doors, moldings, door handles and staircase are all original, as well as the two ornate chandeliers in the parlors which were designed to be operated first with kerosene, then gas and finally electricity.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The hotel is renowned for its historic interiors, featuring ornate chandeliers, vaulted ceilings, and bespoke designer suites at its original property and other locations around the world.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
The floral theme plays out in covetable textiles and wallpapers, and in the ornate flowers Robinson carved on the ceilings of what are now the bar and sitting rooms.
—Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornate
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 10 Mar. 2026
The house’s marble fireplaces, ceiling medallions, pocket doors, moldings, door handles and staircase are all original, as well as the two ornate chandeliers in the parlors which were designed to be operated first with kerosene, then gas and finally electricity.
—David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 9 Mar. 2026
The hotel is renowned for its historic interiors, featuring ornate chandeliers, vaulted ceilings, and bespoke designer suites at its original property and other locations around the world.
—Nashia Baker, Architectural Digest, 9 Mar. 2026
The floral theme plays out in covetable textiles and wallpapers, and in the ornate flowers Robinson carved on the ceilings of what are now the bar and sitting rooms.
—Amy Waldman, Travel + Leisure, 9 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornate
Cite this Entry
“Ornate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornate. Accessed 15 Mar. 2026.
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