ceremonious

adjective

cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​ous ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əs 

ˌse-rə-

1

: devoted to forms and ceremony

ceremonious courtiers

2

: of, relating to, or constituting a ceremony

a ceremonious occasion

3

: according to formal usage or prescribed procedures

the cold and ceremonious politeness of her curtsey

—Jane Austen

4

: marked by ceremony

a ceremonious procession

ceremoniously adverb

ceremoniousness noun

Synonyms

• correct
• decorous
• formal
• nice
• proper
• punctilious
• starchy
• stiff
• stiff-necked
• stilted

Choose the Right Synonym for ceremonious

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 ceremonious in a Sentence

She read the announcement in a very ceremonious way.

a century ago everyday life was much more ceremonious than in our anything-goes era

Recent Examples on the Web

The chief and Kayce seal the deal with a ceremonious blood pact. —Lynette Rice, Deadline, 15 Dec. 2024

The ceremonious confection has, after all, been a tradition for millennia: its roots trace back to ancient Rome, where grooms would break a barley cake over their bride’s head to officialize their union. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 27 July 2024

When the Eagle lifted off to join the Columbia, Aldrin reported seeing the rocket blast knock the flag over, an unceremonious end to a very ceremonious beginning. —Jay R. Jordan, Axios, 19 July 2024

Even so, Miller could have given him a more ceremonious sendoff, especially since the scenes between Taylor-Joy and Burke are the parts that give the movie an actual heartbeat. —David Rooney, The Hollywood Reporter, 15 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

ceremonious

adjective

cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​ous ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əs 

1

: ceremonial entry 1

2

: careful to observe forms and ceremony : formal

ceremoniously adverb

ceremoniousness noun