ceremonial
Of official rites
Ceremonial describes things relating to or used in ceremonies—formal rituals or observances: ceremonial robes, ceremonial duties, a ceremonial sword.
Something ceremonial emphasizes formality and tradition over practical function.
As a noun, a ceremonial is the system of rites for a particular occasion: the ceremonial of a state funeral.
Ceremonial overlaps with ceremonious, though ceremonious more often describes excessively formal behavior.
Ceremonial public procession
- processionFormal moving line
- spectacleVisually striking event
- fanfareCeremonial brass announcement
- cavalcadeCeremonial traveling procession
tableau · floats · grandstand · marching · coronation · jubilee · royal wedding · military tattoo
Ceremonial act or practice
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- sacrificeGiving up something precious
- altarSacred ritual table
- chantRepetitive rhythmic phrase
incantation · consecration · invocation · offering · purification · libation · procession · blessing
Representational sign or device
- insigniaDistinguishing mark of rank
- crestHighest point or tuft
- standardLevel of quality accepted
- bannerDisplayed strip with message
flag · seal · medallion · scepter · orb · mace · staff · torch
Feeling profound respect
- dignifiedComposed and respectable
- graveSerious and worrying
- statelyGrand and imposing
- sacredWorthy of reverence
hallowed · somber · solemn · respectful · meditative · hushed · mournful · memorial
Long loose outer garments
- regaliaCeremonial emblems of authority
- vestmentsCeremonial religious attire
- gownLong formal garment
- headdressOrnamental head covering
crown · sash · tiara · cape · mantle · stole · turban · kilt
Custom passed through generations
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
- folkloreInherited cultural narratives
ancient · indigenous · tribal · cultural · ancestral · time-honored · traditional · elder
Formal beginning ceremony
- convocationFormal ceremonial gathering
- commencementAct of starting
- investitureCeremony conferring rank
- presentationFormal display to viewers
reception · banquet · state dinner · ribbon cutting · oath · swearing-in · protocol · diplomatic reception
parade
Ceremonial public procession
- processionFormal moving line
- spectacleVisually striking event
- fanfareCeremonial brass announcement
cavalcade · tableau · floats · grandstand · marching · coronation · jubilee · royal wedding · military tattoo · changing of the guard
rite
Ceremonial act or practice
chant · incantation · consecration · invocation · offering · purification · libation · procession · blessing · anointment
emblem
Representational sign or device
banner · flag · seal · medallion · scepter · orb · mace · staff · torch · wreath
reverent
Feeling profound respect
sacred · hallowed · somber · solemn · respectful · meditative · hushed · mournful · memorial · remembrance
robes
Long loose outer garments
headdress · crown · sash · tiara · cape · mantle · stole · turban · kilt · kimono
tradition
Custom passed through generations
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- ancestryFamily line of descent
- lineageDescent from progenitors
folklore · ancient · indigenous · tribal · cultural · ancestral · time-honored · traditional · elder · keeper
inauguration
Formal beginning ceremony
- convocationFormal ceremonial gathering
- commencementAct of starting
- investitureCeremony conferring rank
presentation · reception · banquet · state dinner · ribbon cutting · oath · swearing-in · protocol · diplomatic reception · conferral
- event adjectivesannual, scheduled, planned, recurring, upcoming
- speaking stylesarticulate, blunt, candid, conversational, casual
- speech registersformal, informal, casual, colloquial, vernacular
- worship booksprayer books, hymnal, hymnals, missal, missals
- nominalnominal, titular, figurehead, in name only, token
- church booksBible, missal, hymnal, missals, prayer book
ceremonialinformal
Relaxed, not official
casual · unceremonious · relaxed · laid-back · easygoing
ceremonialfunctional
Able to operate correctly
practical · working · operational · utilitarian · serviceable
ceremonialunconventional
Departing from standard practice
unorthodox · unofficial · freewheeling · impromptu · spontaneous
- ceremonial dressFormal attire for rituals
- ceremonial swordOrnate blade for rituals
- wedding ceremoniesRituals formalizing a marriage
- master of ceremoniesEvent's lead announcer
- ceremonial garbFormal ritual clothing
- tribal ceremoniesFormal communal cultural observances
ceremonies, unceremonious, ceremonious, ceremoniously, unceremoniously, ceremonially, ceremonials, ceremonialism, ceremoniousness