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

This manifested in both organic and ornate shapes, real and faux hair adornments and billowing embellishments collected from nature. —Kaleigh Werner, Footwear News, 4 May 2026

It is surrounded by appliqué ornamentation reflecting the decorative arts of each culture and an ornate frieze around the periphery. —Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Apr. 2026

Cruise ships release passengers daily to see the bright, ornate facades lining the harbor. —Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 30 Apr. 2026

Step inside to take in the ornate sanctuary that has anchored the city for nearly four centuries. —Hanna Wickes, Miami Herald, 30 Apr. 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