Word
ceremonial
Phoneticscer·e·mo·ni·al, stress on the third syllable
US/ˌsɛɹəˈmoʊniəɫ/
UK/sˌɛɹɪmˈəʊnɪəl/
Definitions
01related to a ceremony
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. used in or related to a formal event like a wedding, funeral, or official meeting.
adj. relating to, consisting of, or used in a ceremony or ritual.
“The soldiers wore their ceremonial uniforms for the king's parade.”
“The high priest performed the ceremonial washing of the altar before the festival began in earnest.”
02symbolic or for show
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having a position or role that is for tradition or show, without any real power.
adj. occupying a position or performing a role that is purely symbolic or traditional, lacking actual authority or practical function.
“The president has a ceremonial role, while the prime minister runs the country.”
“Although she held the ceremonial title of chairperson, she had no vote in the company's daily financial decisions.”
Antonyms
03a system of rituals
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Formal
n. the formal rules and actions used during a ceremony.
n. a ceremony or a series of ceremonies prescribed by ritual or social convention.
“The religious ceremonial was strictly followed by every member of the church.”
“The court ceremonial was so complex that new ambassadors spent weeks studying the correct way to approach the throne.”
Real-World Examples
“Weapons buried with ancient Egyptian princesses may have been more than ceremonial decorations.” “Some were even bred for wool, while others played important spiritual or ceremonial roles.” Etymology
From Middle English cerymonial, from Latin caerimōniālis. Morphologically ceremony + -al or -ial.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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