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)
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
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
Each desk has an ornate carving of an inlaid diamond on the front.
—Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Many printers offered vinegar valentines alongside the more traditionally positive and ornate cards.
—Melissa Chan, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026
Male pufferfish that are trying to win over a female run their fins along the sand, creating ornate circles and patterns to attract a date.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
The dining room is truly beautiful, decorated with hanging lights, colorful furniture, paper flowers, and an ornate ofrenda.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornate
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Elliott Wenzler, Denver Post, 17 Feb. 2026
Many printers offered vinegar valentines alongside the more traditionally positive and ornate cards.
—Melissa Chan, Fortune, 14 Feb. 2026
Male pufferfish that are trying to win over a female run their fins along the sand, creating ornate circles and patterns to attract a date.
—K. R. Callaway, Scientific American, 13 Feb. 2026
The dining room is truly beautiful, decorated with hanging lights, colorful furniture, paper flowers, and an ornate ofrenda.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for ornate
Cite this Entry
“Ornate.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ornate. Accessed 19 Feb. 2026.
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