ceremonynoun
uk/ˈser.ɪ.mə.ni/us/ˈser.ə.mə.ni/ceremony noun (FORMAL ACTS)
B1 [ C or U ] formal ceremonial (a set of) formal acts, often fixed and traditional, performed on important social or religious occasions:
a wedding/graduation ceremony
More examples
- We weren't married in church, but we had a civil ceremony in a registry office.
- The Olympics climaxed in a spectacular closing ceremony.
- The glittering ceremony conjured up images of Russia's imperial past.
- Several foreign dignitaries attended the ceremony.
- The queen, in full ceremonial dress, presided over the ceremony.
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Ceremonies
- cavalcade
- ceremonial
- commemorate
- commencement
- coronation
- induction
- initiate
- knight
- master of ceremonies
- MC
- nuptials
- officiate
- pageant
- salute
- solemnize
- speech day
- state occasion
- swearing-in
- the red carpet
- troop
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ceremony noun (FORMAL BEHAVIOUR)
[ U ] very formal and polite behaviour:
She arrived at the airport without the pomp and ceremony that usually accompanies important politicians.
I handed her my letter of resignation without ceremony (= in an informal way).
Thesaurus: synonyms and related words
Manners & levels of formality
- buttoned-down
- ceremonial
- ceremonious
- decency
- decorum
- formal
- formally
- gentility
- grace
- ground rules
- impropriety
- informal
- propriety
- pukka
- refinement
- solemnity
- stand on ceremony idiom
- stiff
- stiffly
- valediction
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