ceremonious

[ ser-uh-moh-nee-uhs ]

adjective

1. carefully observant of ceremony; formally or elaborately polite:

   He greeted his rival with a ceremonious display of friendship.

   Synonyms: punctilious, conventional, ceremonial

2. pertaining to, marked by, or consisting of ceremony; formal:

   a ceremonious reception.

ceremonious

/ ˌsɛrɪˈməʊnɪəs /

adjective

1. especially or excessively polite or formal
2. observing ceremony; involving formalities

Derived Forms

• ˌcereˈmoniously, adverb
• ˌcereˈmoniousness, noun

Other Words From

• cere·moni·ous·ly adverb
• cere·moni·ous·ness noun
• anti·cere·moni·ous adjective
• anti·cere·moni·ous·ly adverb
• anti·cere·moni·ous·ness noun
• noncer·e·moni·ous adjective
• noncer·e·moni·ous·ly adverb
• noncer·e·moni·ous·ness noun
• super·cere·moni·ous adjective
• super·cere·moni·ous·ly adverb
• super·cere·moni·ous·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of ceremonious¹

1545–55; ceremony + -ous; compare Middle French cerimonieux < Late Latin caerimōniōsus

Example Sentences

When I arrived back in Atlanta, where I live, the sand gathered underneath my feet on my car mat felt like a ceremonious parting gift.

From Vox

I thought it would be so fun and a ceremonious moment of everyone reuniting, but barely anyone is going in because everything is still weird.

From Digiday

Levee: a ceremonious visit received by a distinguished person in the morning.

From Project Gutenberg

Never, in paying a ceremonious call, stay more than twenty minutes, or less than ten.

From Project Gutenberg

Lady Hartledon was not to be thwarted on all points, and she insisted on a ceremonious christening.

From Project Gutenberg

The form is proper upon such occasions, but should be used only in the most ceremonious correspondence.

From Project Gutenberg

The cards made way for the supper, a meal almost as ceremonious, and quite as constant, as the dinner.

From Project Gutenberg