ornate

Ornate is an adjective used to describe something that is elaborately or excessively decorated or adorned. It implies a high level of embellishment, with intricate patterns, scrolls, gilding, and lavish motifs. In art and design, ornate works are characterized by complex detailing and a dense decorative program.

The word comes from Latin ornatus, decorated, from ornare, to decorate or equip. In architectural history, ornate styles are linked to Baroque and Rococo interiors, as well as later Revival periods that emphasize elaborate ornamentation.

Ornate can apply to objects, spaces, or language. Ornate furniture, metalwork, or textile patterns display extensive ornament; an ornate ceiling or facade may feature repeated motifs, acanthus leaves, or beading. In prose, ornate or purple prose describes language that is highly decorated with rhetorical devices, sometimes at the expense of clarity.

The term generally carries a positive connotation when describing craftsmanship or historical styles, but it can be criticized as excessive in contexts that prize restraint and readability. Related terms include ornamented, embellished, decorative, and flamboyant.