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

• 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

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 extended ovation following Kershaw’s ceremonious exit in the top of the fifth preceded the uncontrollable catharsis of Shohei Ohtani’s go-ahead home run in the bottom of the fifth, a three-run shot that pierced the Giants’ soul. —Justice Delos Santos, Mercury News, 20 Sep. 2025

Today is the eleven year anniversary of the release of Destiny, perhaps not as ceremonious as last year’s tenth anniversary, one that did not end the series, but Bungie presses on. —Paul Tassi, Forbes.com, 9 Sep. 2025

At some schools, the general manager is a ceremonious one, given to a program’s famous alumnus who can help gin up interest and money. —Chris Branch, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025

Prior to kickoff in the game that marked the debut of the baby blue Riptide jersey, Inter Miami owners Jorge and Jose Mas officially welcomed De Paul with the same type of ceremonious presentation that was given in years past to the star foursome of Messi, Alba, Luis Suarez, and Sergio Busquets. —Franco Panizo, Miami Herald, 27 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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