6 synonyms and better words for “ornate,” each with its precise meaning and an example so you pick the one that actually fits, not just the nearest match.
Marked by intricate detail and careful, complex craftsmanship.
“The cathedral's elaborate stonework took three generations of masons to complete.”
Best for: Works well in formal writing or descriptions of architecture and design.
Excessively decorated or embellished, often to the point of excess.
“His florid prose overwhelmed readers who simply wanted a straightforward story.”
Best for: Ideal for literary criticism or describing writing, speech, or visual excess.
Extravagantly decorative in a way that is fanciful, delicate, and overly busy.
“The rococo ballroom dripped with gilded cherubs and ribbons of painted plaster.”
Best for: Best used for art, architecture, and interiors from the 18th century or styled after it.
Adorned with delicate, lace-like patterns of intricate, twisted detail.
“She wore a filigreed silver brooch that caught every slant of candlelight.”
Best for: Particularly evocative for jewelry, metalwork, or fine decorative objects.
Richly complex and heavily ornamented, often suggesting grandeur tipping into excess.
“The baroque facade of the palace made the neighboring buildings look like afterthoughts.”
Best for: Punchy and precise when describing architecture, music, or overwhelmingly detailed aesthetics.
Used figuratively to describe something swollen with excessive decorative richness.
“The manuscript's embonpoint margins left barely a centimeter for the actual text.”
Best for: Extremely rare borrowing from French; best reserved for whimsical or satirical literary contexts.
Wordsmith finds curated synonyms for any word, free to try.
Try Wordsmith Free