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

Passover is a ceremonious occasion to rejoice in Judaism, especially during the first family meal or Seder, according to britannica.com. —Chris Sims, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Once RiRi and the baby made a ceremonious second entrance to the show, the ‘defile’ finally began at 10:35. —Roxanne Robinson, Forbes.com, 30 June 2025

Ogden's #75 dons the back of one fan, Kris Prowse, who has opted – on this ceremonious day – to wear the jersey that started it all. —Billie Melissa, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 May 2025

The vice president’s role in officiating the Electoral College count before Congress — the final step in the election process before a president takes the White House — was known for many cycles as one that was mostly uneventful and largely ceremonious. —Alex Gangitano, The Hill, 6 Jan. 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