Corinthian

American  

[kuh-rin-thee-uhn] / kəˈrɪn θi ən /

adjective

1. of, relating to, or characteristic of Corinth.

2. Architecture. noting or pertaining to one of the five classical orders invented in ancient Greece and similar in most respects to the Ionic but usually of slenderer proportions, and characterized by a deep capital with a round bell decorated with acanthus leaves and a square abacus with concave sides. The Corinthian capital has typically two distinct rows of acanthus leaves above which appear eight fluted sheaths, from each of which spring two scrolls helices, of which one curls beneath a corner of the abacus as half of a volute and the other curls beneath the center of the abacus.

3. ornate, as literary style.

4. luxurious or licentious.

5. pertaining to or designating a style of vase painting developed in Corinth, in the 7th and early 6th centuries b.c., characterized chiefly by human, animal, and ornamental motifs, painted boldly in a black figure style on a terra-cotta ground, often arranged in tiers around the vase.

---

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Corinth.

2. a man about town, especially one who lives luxuriously or, sometimes, dissolutely.

3. an amateur yachtsman.

4. Manège. a horse-show class in which each contestant must be a member of a recognized hunt and wear regulation hunt livery.

Corinthian British  

/ kəˈrɪnθɪən /

adjective

1. of, characteristic of, or relating to Corinth

2. of, denoting, or relating to one of the five classical orders of architecture: characterized by a bell-shaped capital having carved ornaments based on acanthus leaves See also Ionic Doric composite Tuscan

3. given to luxury; dissolute

4. ornate and elaborate

---

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Corinth

2. an amateur sportsman

3. rare a man about town, esp one who is dissolute

Corinthian Cultural  

1. One of the three main styles of Greek architecture (the others are Doric and Ionic). The Corinthian column is slender and fluted; the capital incorporates sculpted leaves.

---

Etymology

Origin of Corinthian

1350–1400; Middle English Corinthi ( es ) men of Corinth (< Latin Corinthiī < Greek Korínthioi; Corinth ) + -an

Example Sentences

The brand delivered aerodynamically groundbreaking cars in the 1930s and luxurious land yachts in the ‘60s and ‘70s with “Fine Corinthian Leather.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

In design terms, however, Abbott said he would have preferred a brick surface, and felt the Corinthian columns on the ballroom were not appropriate.

From Slate • Aug. 5, 2025

Dug sits upright on the limo’s black Corinthian leather seat, flanked by crystal liquor decanters on one side and a TV and VCR on the other.

From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 21, 2025

It moved in 1838 to its current building where there are Corinthian columns marked with an inscription reading "Maiorvm Gloria Posteris Lvmen Est", meaning "the glory of our ancestors is a light to our descendants".

From BBC • Apr. 18, 2024

Compared with the soaring office towers surrounding it, it’s squatty but not without grandeur, featuring tall Corinthian columns out front and giant, echoing lobbies made primarily of marble.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama