How to pronounce ornate
Say it like or-NAYT. Ornate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAYT).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ornate. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- or
- NAYT
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ornate pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- orKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- NAYTSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of ornate
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: aw-NAYT.
What does ornate mean?
- Elaborately ornamented, often to excess.
- Flashy, flowery or showy.
- Finely finished, as a style of composition.
Where does ornate come from?
Learned borrowing from Latin ōrnātus, perfect passive participle of ōrnō (“to equip, adorn”), see -ate (adjective-forming suffix).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ornate
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ornate.
Questions about saying ornate
How do you pronounce ornate?
Say or-NAYT. The American pronunciation is /ɔrˈneɪt/. In British English it is /ɔːˈneɪt/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ornate?
Ornate has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (NAYT). Broken into parts: or · NAYT.
Is ornate pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ɔːˈneɪt/ (aw-NAYT).