ceremonious

adjective

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cer·e·mo·ni·ous | \ ˌser-ə-ˈmō-nē-əs

, ˌse-rə- \

Definition of ceremonious

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

Other Words from ceremonious Synonyms & Antonyms Choose the Right Synonym More Example Sentences Learn More about ceremonious

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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 Seniors drove three-wide around the track before ultimately crossing the finish line as a ceremonious end to their high-school careers. — azcentral, "Arizona reopening: Everyday movement no longer limited as state moves into weekend," 16 May 2020 Trump's 78-minute speech was far from the respectful, ceremonious address its reputation usually carries. — Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, "Dad of Parkland shooting victim gets kicked out of State of the Union for yelling at Trump," 5 Feb. 2020 The ceremonious milestone inside the New York Stock Exchange was more than a financial event for Slack. — Fortune, "Slack Spreads Its Wings: What’s Next for the Newly Public Company," 27 Aug. 2019 One of the opera’s most haunting moments, at the conclusion of the first act, is when a trio of nightwatchmen is heard enjoining in ceremonious unison husbands and wives to love each other, entrusting them with the seed of new life. — The New York Review of Books, "The Art of the Possible at Havana’s Bienal," 15 June 2019 As the aggrieved dyer’s wife prepares to go to bed alone, the three baritone watchmen are heard in ceremonious unison enjoining husbands and wives to love each other, entrusting them with the seed of new life. — Larry Wolff, The New York Review of Books, "A Resonant Centenary for Strauss at the Vienna State Opera," 13 June 2019 The Israeli-Palestinian conflict typically looms large, even during largely ceremonious visits, and William will have to maneuver carefully to avoid missteps. — Fox News, "Prince William arrives in Jordan, praises 'historic ties and friendship'," 24 June 2018 That masterpiece — pure dance, ceremonious, hierarchical, formal, classicism in excelsis — exemplified the sublimity that Robbins henceforth strove to pursue. — New York Times, "Jerome Robbins, Ballet’s Mr. ‘Take It Easy, Baby,’ at 100," 27 Apr. 2018 His hasty exit from the White House upset a number of staffers in the building, who described him as a loyal aide who deserved a more ceremonious departure. — courant.com, "Former UConn Quarterback Johnny McEntee Lost White House Job Over Gambling Habit," 16 Mar. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'ceremonious.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.