ornate
/ɔɹˈneɪt/
Group 34Difficulty 1/3
Definition
- (adjective)
- Made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns; using unusual words and complex constructions GRE
Example in Context
The ornate ceiling of the restored hall featured gilded plasterwork and hand-painted frescoes that had taken artisans over a year to complete.
Etymology
Intricately adorned, as if someone took the time to ornament every detail.
- ornare (Latin) — to adorn
Memory Aid
🎨Sounds like “or-nate”
When asked to OR-NATE the room, I covered it in so many decorations that it looked like a rainbow threw up!
Visual Association
✨A lavishly decorated hall, with every surface sparkling and shimmering under the light.
Semantic Clusters
Synonym Groups
Frequently Asked Questions
What does “ornate” mean on the GRE?
ornate (adjective) means “Made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns; using unusual words and complex constructions”. The ornate ceiling of the restored hall featured gilded plasterwork and hand-painted frescoes that had taken artisans over a year to complete.
How to remember “ornate” for the GRE?
Mnemonic: “ornate” sounds like “or-nate”. When asked to OR-NATE the room, I covered it in so many decorations that it looked like a rainbow threw up!