ornate

adjective

or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt 

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)

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

As for finishing touches, Saldaña wore a pair of Aquazzura white pointed toe pumps with ornate cutouts. — Julia Teti, Footwear News, 31 July 2026

Overly grand staircases and ornate rail details are both considered outdated by designers. — The Spruce, 30 July 2026

Excavators recently uncovered an ornate Roman mosaic at an archaeological site in Turkey, near where the Apostle Paul helped spread Christianity beyond the Levant. — Andrea Margolis, FOXNews.com, 30 July 2026

Zendaya and Roach were also able to source the ornate gold face mask designed by Philip Treacy that was originally worn with the dress on the runway. — Morgan Evans, USA Today, 28 July 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