ceremonial

1 of 2

adjective

cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​al ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl 

ˌse-rə-

1

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

ceremonial rites

2

: having no real power or influence

his new position is largely ceremonial

ceremonialism

ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-ˌli-zəm 

ˌse-rə-

noun

ceremonialist

ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-list 

ˌse-rə-

noun

ceremonially

ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-lē 

ˌse-rə-

adverb

ceremonial

2 of 2

noun

: a ceremonial act, action, or system

Synonyms of ceremonial

Adjective

• formal
• ceremonious
• conventional
• official

Noun

• ritual
• ceremony

Choose the Right Synonym for ceremonial

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 ceremonial in a Sentence

Adjective

The tribe has different ceremonial masks for each ceremony.

His new position is largely ceremonial because all the decisions are actually made by a committee.

Noun

a number of religious ceremonials

the funeral of a pope is usually marked by rich pageantry and elaborate ceremonials

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Straka, a University of Georgia and Lowndes High School product, threw the ceremonial first pitch Monday before the Braves faced the Marlins. —Gabriel Burns, AJC.com, 14 Apr. 2026

Clark's ensconcement is effective immediately, the city said, though a ceremonial swearing-in will occur later this year. —Anthony Bettin, CBS News, 14 Apr. 2026

With the ball in hand, Gayle King makes her way to the mound for the NY Mets' ceremonial first pitch on April 9. —Toria Sheffield, PEOPLE, 12 Apr. 2026

King Jigme descended from his ceremonial golden throne during his 2011 wedding to Jetsun Pema, placing an elaborate crown on her head. —Bailey Bujnosek, InStyle, 11 Apr. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

circa 1679, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for ceremonial

• antimonial
• matrimonial
• postcolonial
• precolonial
• testimonial
• anticolonial
• intercolonial
• neocolonial
• baronial
• colonial

Kids Definition

ceremonial

1 of 2 adjective

cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​al ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əl 

: of, relating to, or forming a ceremony

ceremonialism

-nē-ə-ˌliz-əm 

noun

ceremonialist

-nē-ə-ləst 

noun

ceremonially

-nē-ə-lē 

adverb

ceremonialness noun

ceremonial

2 of 2 noun

: a ceremonial act, action, or system