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

• baroque
• decorated
• extravagant
• adorned
• 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

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

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