ornate

adjective

or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt How to pronounce ornate (audio)
1
: marked by elaborate rhetoric (see rhetoric sense 2b) or florid (see florid sense 1a) style
is clear and simple rather than ornate and pompousThe Times Literary Supplement (London)
2
: elaborately or excessively decorated
an ornate mantle
an ornate townhouse
ornate chandeliers
ornately adverb
ornateness noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The mansion may look like a grand Victorian estate, but behind its ornate walls lurks something far darker. Kirby Adams, Louisville Courier Journal, 17 Oct. 2025 Vivid frescoes and ornate details of Renaissance and Mannerism elegance adorn the interior. Fulvio De Bonis, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2025 Busosanseong served as a political and cultural hub during Baekje’s golden era, and featured ornate palaces, courtyard terraces, and Buddhist temples. Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 16 Oct. 2025 The Mayans built a sprawling city with monuments and buildings up to 200 feet high, featuring ornate facades. ABC News, 16 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for ornate

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of ornate was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Ornate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornate. Accessed 23 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

ornate

adjective
or·​nate ȯr-ˈnāt How to pronounce ornate (audio)
: decorated in a fancy way
ornately adverb
ornateness noun

More from Merriam-Webster on ornate

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!