Corinthian

1 of 2

noun

Co·​rin·​thi·​an kə-ˈrin(t)-thē-ən How to pronounce Corinthian (audio)
1
: a native or resident of Corinth, Greece
2
: a merry profligate man

Corinthian

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or characteristic of Corinth or Corinthians
2
: of or relating to the lightest and most ornate of the three ancient Greek architectural orders distinguished especially by its large capitals decorated with carved acanthus leaves see order illustration

Examples of Corinthian in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
In 2022, the Education Department approved $5.8 billion in student loan discharges for more than half a million former Corinthian students, under the borrower defense to repayment program. Nerdwallet, The Mercury News, 14 Oct. 2024 In her remarks, Harris compared the case to one she was involved in as California attorney general against Corinthian Colleges. Michael Collins, USA TODAY, 10 Sep. 2024 Built in the 1910s for attorney Charles C. Boynton and his wife, Florence Treadwell Boynton, the three-bedroom home is fronted by 16 Corinthian columns, measures about 4,000 square feet, and overlooks San Francisco Bay from his hillside perch. Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 19 Aug. 2024 The stone is intricately carved, researchers said, covered in plant decoration in the Corinthian style. Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 19 July 2024 So how does a band choose the lead single between those two Corinthian columns of songs? Devon Ivie, Vulture, 2 Feb. 2024 It was held in Zappeion Hall, an enormous circular structure that was built in 1888 in classical style as a venue for the first modern Olympic Games in 1896, with an open atrium, gleaming white Corinthian columns, and brilliantly colored frescoes and floor mosaics. Tony Perrottet, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024 The sheets are Frette and the tableware is from Richard Ginori, just like theirs, while fragments of millenniums-old sculptures and carved Corinthian columns from their private collection are placed almost haphazardly throughout the property. Laura May Todd, New York Times, 8 Feb. 2024 The avenue has several off-street courtyards for wandering amid Santorini-style white stucco buildings with tiled walkways, Corinthian arches and fountains. Lois K. Solomon, Sun Sentinel, 4 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Corinthian.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1520, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1594, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of Corinthian was in 1520

Dictionary Entries Near Corinthian

Cite this Entry

“Corinthian.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Corinthian. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

Corinthian

adjective
Co·​rin·​thi·​an
kə-ˈrin(t)-thē-ən
: of or relating to a style of Greek architecture characterized by a bell-shaped capital covered with sculptured leaves
Etymology

Adjective

named for Corinth, region and city in ancient Greece

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