ceremonial

1 of 2

adjective

cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​al ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl 

ˌse-rə-

1

: marked by, involved in, or belonging to ceremony : stressing careful attention to form and detail

ceremonial rites

2

: having no real power or influence

his new position is largely ceremonial

ceremonialism

ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-ˌli-zəm 

ˌse-rə-

noun

ceremonialist

ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-list 

ˌse-rə-

noun

ceremonially

ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-lē 

ˌse-rə-

adverb

ceremonial

2 of 2

noun

: a ceremonial act, action, or system

Synonyms

Adjective

• ceremonious
• conventional
• formal
• orthodox
• regular
• routine

Noun

• ceremony
• form
• formality
• observance
• rite
• ritual
• solemnity

Choose the Right Synonym for ceremonial

ceremonial, ceremonious, formal, conventional mean marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms.

ceremonial and ceremonious both imply strict attention to what is prescribed by custom or by ritual, but ceremonial applies to things that are associated with ceremonies

a ceremonial offering

, ceremonious to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.

made his ceremonious entrance

formal applies both to things prescribed by and to persons obedient to custom and may suggest stiff, restrained, or old-fashioned behavior.

a formal report

the headmaster's formal manner

conventional implies accord with general custom and usage

conventional courtesy

and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.

conventional fiction

Examples of ceremonial in a Sentence

Adjective

The tribe has different ceremonial masks for each ceremony.

His new position is largely ceremonial because all the decisions are actually made by a committee.

Noun

a number of religious ceremonials

the funeral of a pope is usually marked by rich pageantry and elaborate ceremonials

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

About 100 north Mecklenburg Democrats protested on the steps of Cornelius Town Hall Thursday, as Republican U.S. Rep. Tim Moore cut a ceremonial ribbon inside the building for one of his six congressional district offices. —Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 21 Feb. 2025

In those cases there is always a ceremonial president or king whose sole purpose is to act on a no-confidence vote. —Shaun Richman, New York Daily News, 18 Feb. 2025

Noun

In addition to Ducasse’s culinary mastery, offering a cohesive experience that encompasses the liveried staff in period costumes and the ceremonial is part and parcel of the success of the banquet, according to Révah. —Lily Templeton, WWD, 20 Feb. 2025

In Chicago, a second roll-call vote will take place, this one ceremonial. —Tribune News Service, The Mercury News, 16 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1679, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ceremonial

• antimonial
• matrimonial
• postcolonial
• precolonial
• testimonial
• anticolonial
• intercolonial
• neocolonial
• baronial
• colonial

Kids Definition

ceremonial

1 of 2 adjective

cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​al ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl 

: of, relating to, or forming a ceremony

ceremonialism

-nē-ə-ˌliz-əm 

noun

ceremonialist

-nē-ə-ləst 

noun

ceremonially

-nē-ə-lē 

adverb

ceremonialness noun

ceremonial

2 of 2 noun

: a ceremonial act, action, or system