ornate

adjective

or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt 

1

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

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

• bedizened
• florid
• fussy
• gingerbread
• gingerbreaded
• gingerbready
• overdecorated
• overwrought

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

On March 25, 2024, Homeland Security agents used an armored vehicle to storm the ornate front gate at the rap mogul's estate on uber-exclusive Star Island while executing a search warrant on the property, according to testimony from Homeland Security Special Agent Gerard Gannon, who led the raid. —Janelle Griffith, People.com, 21 May 2025

Federal-style architecture features narrower and less ornate columns than those of the Georgian style. —Patricia Shannon, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2025

The Gia Borghini campaign star styled one of the red carpet’s most ornate looks in 2023, wearing a tulle trompe-l’oeil gown from Viktor & Rolf’s spring 2023 collection. —Julia Teti, Footwear News, 20 May 2025

Meghan and Prince Harry first tied the knot in May 2018 in an ornate ceremony at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom. —Anna Kaufman, USA Today, 20 May 2025

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