CEREMONIOUS

Pronunciation (US): (GB):

I. (adjective)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Rigidly formal or bound by convention

Example:

their ceremonious greetings did not seem heartfelt

Synonyms:

ceremonious; conventional

Classified under:

Adjectives

Similar:

formal (being in accord with established forms and conventions and requirements (as e.g. of formal dress))

Derivation:

ceremoniousness (a ceremonial manner)

ceremony (any activity that is performed in an especially solemn elaborate or formal way)

ceremony (the proper or conventional behavior on some solemn occasion)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Characterized by pomp and ceremony and stately display

Synonyms:

ceremonious; pompous

Classified under:

Relational adjectives (pertainyms)

Pertainym:

ceremony (any activity that is performed in an especially solemn elaborate or formal way)

Credits

Context examples:

She was in hopes that the evening would afford some opportunity of bringing them together; that the whole of the visit would not pass away without enabling them to enter into something more of conversation than the mere ceremonious salutation attending his entrance.