Main Entry: ¹cer·e·mo·ni·al

Pronunciation: \ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl, ˌse-rə-\

Function: adjective

Date: 14th century

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

— cer·e·mo·ni·al·ism \-ə-ˌli-zəm\ noun

— cer·e·mo·ni·al·ist \-ə-list\ noun

— cer·e·mo·ni·al·ly \-ə-lē\ adverb

synonyms 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>.