ceremonious
Full of pomp
Ceremonious describes behavior marked by formal politeness and elaborate ritual.
A ceremonious bow, a ceremonious greeting.
The word often implies excessive formality—stiff adherence to protocol rather than genuine warmth.
He made a ceremonious show of pulling out her chair.
Distinguished from ceremonial, which describes things relating to ceremonies themselves rather than the manner of doing them.
Serious and dignified
- statelyGrand and imposing
- augustImpressively grand and noble
- nobleTitled or virtuous
- regalOf or befitting royalty
majestic · venerable · distinguished · courtly · composed · gravitas · imposing · decorous
Showing humble submission
- reverentFeeling profound respect
- politeShowing good manners
- courteousShowing respectful consideration
- graciousPleasantly kind and courteous
obeisant · considerate · gallant · chivalrous · tactful · diplomatic · civil · genteel
Showily excessive
- pretentiousFalsely grand or important
- grandiosePretentiously impressive in scale
- bombasticExcessively inflated language
- theatricalExaggeratedly emotional for effect
affected · self-important · haughty · overblown · showy · flamboyant · stiff · stilted
Prescribed conduct rules
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- solemnitySerious, dignified quality
- processionFormal moving line
black-tie · gala · banquet · reception · inauguration · commencement · convocation · state
Formal ceremonial acts
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
- communionProfound shared closeness
offering · veneration · altar · shrine · chanting · incantation · pilgrimage · mantra
Respected due to age
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
- ritualCeremonial set of actions
prescribed · conventional · established · observance · historic · classic · age-old · orthodox
solemn
Serious and dignified
regal · majestic · venerable · distinguished · courtly · composed · gravitas · imposing · decorous · reverent
deferential
Showing humble submission
gracious · obeisant · considerate · gallant · chivalrous · tactful · diplomatic · civil · genteel · proper
ostentatious
Showily excessive
- pretentiousFalsely grand or important
- grandiosePretentiously impressive in scale
- bombasticExcessively inflated language
theatrical · affected · self-important · haughty · overblown · showy · flamboyant · stiff · stilted · stuffy
protocol
Prescribed conduct rules
- etiquetteRules of polite conduct
- pageantryElaborate ceremonial display
- solemnitySerious, dignified quality
procession · black-tie · gala · banquet · reception · inauguration · commencement · convocation · state · official
rites
Formal ceremonial acts
- liturgyFormal worship structure
- sacramentSacred ritual conveying grace
- consecrationDedicating to sacred purpose
communion · offering · veneration · altar · shrine · chanting · incantation · pilgrimage · mantra · sacrifice
time-honored
Respected due to age
- ancestralOf one's forebears
- customsTraditional practices or import taxes
- heritageInherited cultural legacy
ritual · prescribed · conventional · established · observance · historic · classic · age-old · orthodox · sacramental
- restrainedrestrained, reserved, subdued, controlled, muted
- sacred adjectivesdivine, holy, blessed, sacred, sanctified
ceremoniousunceremonious
Lacking formal politeness
rude · impolite · discourteous · unmannerly · indecorous
ceremoniousoffhand
Casually unrehearsed
unceremonious · spontaneous · breezy · impromptu · nonchalant
unceremonious, ceremoniously, unceremoniously, ceremoniousness, unceremoniousness