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

Inside the cathedral’s nave, the mummified hand of St Stephen, displayed in an ornate replica of the building, was a fascinating discovery. — Lucy Handley, CNBC, 14 Sep. 2026

Boasting classic Haussmann design, its famous red awnings and ornate iron balconies have become symbols of Paris and the city’s spirit itself. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Sep. 2026

Further inside, the crowd gathered for cocktails around the hotel’s ornate bar, where bottles of Champagne were lined up beneath a towering arrangement of greenery. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 11 Sep. 2026

The collection takes the opulence of the French court-corsetry, dramatic volume, delicate lace, ornate embroidery, and lavish textiles. — Anika Reed, USA Today, 11 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