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

ceremonialism

2 of 2

noun

cer·​e·​mo·​ni·​al·​ism ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-ə-ˌli-zəm 

ˌse-rə-, 

-nyə-

plural -s

1

: observance of or adherence to ceremonies especially of religion

2

: the addiction to or particular fondness for ceremonies

Synonyms of ceremonial

Adjective

• formal
• ceremonious
• conventional
• official

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.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

On Wednesday, Pope Leo XIV — the 11th pontiff to reign since the project broke ground — will lead Solemn Mass and a ceremonial blessing. —CNN Money, 8 June 2026

While every ceremonial facilitator has their own unique way of preparing ayahuasca, most often two plants are brewed together (caapi vine and chacruna leaves) to create the highly powerful, transportive substance that can be used to treat physical and mental ailments. —Michaela Trimble, Condé Nast Traveler, 7 June 2026

The job is largely ceremonial unless the governor leaves the state or dies in office. —Stephen Hobbs, Sacbee.com, 6 June 2026

There were no balloons or photo ops with fake paper and sharpies and ceremonial hoopla. —Alex Zietlow, Charlotte Observer, 6 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for ceremonial

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

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