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
Jane Austen4
: marked by ceremony
a ceremonious procession
ceremoniously adverb
ceremoniousness noun
Synonyms
- correct
- decorous
- formal
- nice
- proper
- punctilious
- starchy
- stiff
- stiff-necked
- stilted
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
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 Below, a nostalgic look back at pictures from their university days—from William’s studious portraits to Kate in her ceremonious graduation robe. Elise Taylor, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2022 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, 25 July 2022 Obviously, this is a heroic moment for Kanye, and a ceremonious moment of closure for Kim, who, at one point, picks up the computer’s mouse and then sets it back down. Vogue, 29 Apr. 2022 An elegant, ceremonious man, Karzai urged green tea on me and spoke about poetry. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022 For the first time since the world has come to known COVID-19, water leaped from the mouths of four bronze sea horses, and the people clapped and danced as Mayor Lori Lightfoot exchanged fist bumps in front of the ceremonious display. Paige Fry, chicagotribune.com, 22 May 2021 Then, with a ceremonious flair, my dad pushed the shim rock into place. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 10 Apr. 2021 Trading in bulky knits and fleece bottoms for something light and airy feels almost ceremonious right now, and few silhouettes combine the easygoing nature of a house dress with the casual elegance of a button-down just so. Talia Abbas, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2021 The master of ceremonious Eros is, for once, hanging out with random guys. Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2021 See More
Elise Taylor, Vogue, 25 Aug. 2022 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, 25 July 2022 Obviously, this is a heroic moment for Kanye, and a ceremonious moment of closure for Kim, who, at one point, picks up the computer’s mouse and then sets it back down. Vogue, 29 Apr. 2022 An elegant, ceremonious man, Karzai urged green tea on me and spoke about poetry. Jon Lee Anderson, The New Yorker, 21 Feb. 2022 For the first time since the world has come to known COVID-19, water leaped from the mouths of four bronze sea horses, and the people clapped and danced as Mayor Lori Lightfoot exchanged fist bumps in front of the ceremonious display. Paige Fry, chicagotribune.com, 22 May 2021 Then, with a ceremonious flair, my dad pushed the shim rock into place. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 10 Apr. 2021 Trading in bulky knits and fleece bottoms for something light and airy feels almost ceremonious right now, and few silhouettes combine the easygoing nature of a house dress with the casual elegance of a button-down just so. Talia Abbas, Glamour, 8 Mar. 2021 The master of ceremonious Eros is, for once, hanging out with random guys. Peter Schjeldahl, The New Yorker, 8 Feb. 2021 See More 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
a ceremonious occasion
2
: formal entry 1 sense 1
ceremonious
adjective
1
as in formal
marked by or showing careful attention to set forms and details a century ago everyday life was much more ceremonious than in our anything-goes era Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- formal
- decorous
- solemn
- nice
- proper
- punctilious
- correct
- civil
- stilted
- stiff
- starchy
- polite
- courtly
- stately
- polished
- chivalrous
- gallant
- stiff-necked
- sober
- refined
- courteous
- genteel
- red-carpet
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- unceremonious
- informal
- casual
- easygoing
- improper
- indecorous
- unmannerly
- impolite
- discourteous
- laid-back
- rude
2
as in ceremonial
following or agreeing with established form, custom, or rules the ceremonious regalia of the Swiss Guards, the pope's traditional body guards Synonyms & Similar Words
- ceremonial
- formal
- conventional
- official
- orthodox
- regular
- decorous
- routine
- correct
- polite
- proper
- authorized
- ritual
- ritualistic
- sanctioned
- seemly
- accepted
- formalistic
- systematic
- certified
- respectable
- genteel
- methodical
- orderly
- nice
- methodic
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- informal
- casual
- unconventional
- unorthodox
- irregular
- unceremonious
- unofficial
- unauthorized
- improper
- freewheeling
- inappropriate
- unseemly
- unbecoming
- unhappy
- unsuitable
- incorrect
- unfit
- indecorous
- inept
- infelicitous
- graceless
- unapt
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of ceremonious are ceremonial, conventional, and formal. While all these words mean "marked by attention to or adhering strictly to prescribed forms," ceremonious applies to persons given to ceremony or to acts attended by ceremony.
made his ceremonious entrance
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
The words conventional and ceremonious can be used in similar contexts, but conventional implies accord with general custom and usage and may suggest a stodgy lack of originality or independence.
conventional courtesy
conventional fiction
Although the words formal and ceremonious have much in common, 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
- talking picture
- talking point
- talking points
- talking round
- talking shop
- talking through
- talking up
- talking-to
- talking-tos
- talkings
- talks
- talks (about)
- talks (into)
- talks (to)
- talks a blue streak
- talks about
- talks around
- talks at
- talks down
- talks down (to)
- talks down to
- talks into
- talks of
- talks oneself out of
- talks oneself out of something