ceremonious

1 of 2

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

ceremoniousness

2 of 2

noun

cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​ous·​ness

¦ser-ə-¦mō-nē-əs-nəs, 

¦se-rə-, 

-nyəs-

: the quality or state of being ceremonious

Synonyms of ceremonious

Adjective

• formal
• decorous
• nice
• solemn
• proper

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

Adjective

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

Adjective

It is celebrated with a ceremonious parade that features a cavalcade of men dressed in Roman soldier costumes, evoking a sense of solemn thanksgiving and spiritual devotion. —Condé Nast Traveler, 28 Mar. 2026

The ones named Grand Champion and Reserve Grand Champion by the judges make a ceremonious visit at the end of the day to the Brown Palace Hotel and Spa in downtown Denver. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 21 Jan. 2026

More convincing in the film is cinematographer Talant Akynbekov’s observant, almost ceremonious lensing of carpet weaving, as well as of the beats of everyday life, sometimes accompanied by the traditional tunes villagers hum. —Tomris Laffly, Variety, 23 Nov. 2025

The band’s official end was even less ceremonious. —Amanda Petrusich, New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1553, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ceremonious

• acrimonious
• inharmonious
• parsimonious
• sanctimonious
• erroneous
• felonious
• harmonious
• peroneus
• polonius
• unceremonious

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