ceremonious
Americanadjective
-
carefully observant of ceremony; formally or elaborately polite.
He greeted his rival with a ceremonious display of friendship.
- Synonyms:
- punctilious, conventional, ceremonial
-
pertaining to, marked by, or consisting of ceremony; formal.
a ceremonious reception.
adjective
-
especially or excessively polite or formal
-
observing ceremony; involving formalities
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of ceremonious
1545–55; ceremony + -ous; compare Middle French cerimonieux < Late Latin caerimōniōsus
Explanation
When people are involved in a ceremony, they often behave in a solemn way, exhibiting the respect they feel for the ritual. Their behavior can be described as ceremonious. Don't confuse ceremonious with ceremonial. Ceremonial means "by ceremony." If, after signing a peace agreement, two presidents exchange a ceremonial handshake in front of reporters, that's different from the ceremonious manner they maintain while doing so.
Vocabulary lists containing ceremonious
"An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge" by Ambrose Bierce
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The Merchant of Venice
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Vocabulary Video Contest (2013) - List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
She lamented that the home did not have some kind of ceremonious sendoff — final tours for architecture students, a celebratory cocktail hour, donation of materials for architectural studies — before it was torn down.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 22, 2024
The mood inside the court - quiet and ceremonious - was a contrast to the atmosphere outside as dozens of activists rallied in support of cancellation.
From Washington Times ● Mar. 1, 2023
Thirty-five years later the world's five-billionth baby is trying to forget his ceremonious entry into the world.
From BBC ● Nov. 14, 2022
Punishments in such cases should be harsher too, rather than ceremonious or possessed of little or no punitive value.
From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2022
It has burned steadily since the ceremonious lighting on opening night.
From "The Night Circus" by Erin Morgenstern
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
