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.
A plane carrying 59 of them landed at an airport just outside Washington DC earlier this month, in a ceremonious greeting that included the deputy secretary of state.
From BBC ● May 24, 2025
The custom, which feels both ceremonious and nostalgic, can be a powerful refuge from the chaos of the outside world, business owners say.
From New York Times ● Jan. 16, 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
Punishments in such cases should be harsher too, rather than ceremonious or possessed of little or no punitive value.
From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2022
That night when I placed the plastic egg filled with cinnamon hearts in the box beside my bed, I did not feel the ceremonious satisfaction I normally did.
From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri
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.
