ceremony

USAGE SUMMARY

The word "ceremony" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to refer to a formal event, such as a wedding or graduation. For example, "The ceremony was held in the grand hall, with hundreds of people in attendance."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Lifestyle

Film

Music

Sport

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

The Ocean's Eleven director eventually sold his project to pay TV network HBO in the US, making it ineligible for film's most high-profile awards ceremony.

The Guardian - TV & Radio

Enraged by a string of perceived refereeing injustices, Napoli's players refused to attend the post-game medal ceremony.

The Guardian - Sport

"Just a few minutes before the actual ceremony was about to start we were told the media was being uninvited to go to that," Eremae said.

The Guardian

Now the other side of the Olympic opening ceremony, and having turned down a knighthood, Boyle sat down in front of the Hibrow cameras after a Trainspotting reunion event in London last night to talk about how the film was made, how Ewan McGregor was central to its success, and how he would make it today.

The Guardian - Film

The House minority leader was speaking in Little Rock, Arkansas, ahead of a ceremony to mark the renaming of the Little Rock airport as the Bill and Hillary Clinton National Airport.

The Guardian

The anniversary ceremony will begin in the morning with a wreath-laying event at the Soldiers National Cemeteryy.

The Guardian

The pair are set to wed in a low-key ceremony in Venice on 20 September, although sources also suggest he has "secured an entire island" for the ceremony.

The Guardian - Lifestyle

The annual award ceremony which recognises excellence in Australian journalism was held in Brisbane and hosted by the ABC Lateline presenter Emma Alberici.

The Guardian

Let's take a closer look … Join us from 5pm GMT for full coverage, including Peter Bradshaw and Hadley Freeman liveblogging the ceremony, which is broadcast on BBC1 at 9pm.

The Guardian - Film

Niels-Jorgen Toxvaerd, 65, on Sunday received his citizenship certificate from prime minister Tony Abbott and cut a birthday cake with Governor-General Quentin Bryce at Canberra's national citizenship ceremony.

The Guardian

The vessel met up with bark canoes under the Sydney Harbour Bridge and a traditional smoking ceremony was carried out.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When describing a "ceremony", be specific about its purpose and the rituals involved to provide a clear understanding of its significance. For example, instead of just saying "the ceremony", specify "the wedding ceremony" or "the graduation ceremony".

Common error

Avoid using "ceremony" as a generic term for any event. Ensure the event involves formal rituals, observances, or procedures that warrant the term's use. Using "event", "gathering", or "function" might be more appropriate for less formal situations.

Linguistic Context

The word "ceremony" functions primarily as a noun. It refers to a formal event or ritual, often with religious or cultural significance. Ludwig AI confirms that it is grammatically correct and widely used.

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

News & Media

30%

Lifestyle

20%

Film

15%

Less common in

Music

15%

Sport

10%

Formal & Business

5%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "ceremony" is a versatile noun denoting a formal event with specific rituals, observances, or procedures. Ludwig AI confirms its correctness and widespread use across diverse contexts. While applicable in news and media, its inherent formality dictates careful usage to avoid overgeneralization. Related phrases like "formal occasion" or "rite of passage" provide context-sensitive alternatives. Accurate application enhances clarity, avoiding generic substitutions, and ensuring that the term truly reflects the event's structured and significant nature.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

formal occasion

Replaces "ceremony" with a more general term emphasizing the formal aspect of the event.

rite of passage

Highlights the transformative aspect of a "ceremony", focusing on its role in marking a significant transition.

solemn event

Emphasizes the serious and respectful nature of the "ceremony".

festive celebration

Shifts the focus to the celebratory aspect, suggesting a joyous and communal atmosphere.

commemorative service

Specifically refers to a "ceremony" held to honor and remember a person or event.

official proceedings

Highlights the structured and formal nature of a "ceremony", often used in governmental or organizational contexts.

ritualistic practice

Focuses on the repetitive and symbolic actions that constitute a "ceremony".

traditional observance

Emphasizes the historical and cultural significance of a "ceremony".

formal dedication

Implies a "ceremony" specifically designed to inaugurate or consecrate something.

opening event

Refers to a "ceremony" that marks the beginning of something, such as a conference or festival.

FAQs

How can I use "ceremony" in a sentence?

You can use "ceremony" to describe a formal event, such as "The wedding "ceremony" was beautiful" or "The award "ceremony" honored outstanding achievements".

What are some synonyms for "ceremony"?

Alternatives to "ceremony" include "formal occasion", "rite of passage", or "solemn event", depending on the specific context.

What distinguishes a "ceremony" from a regular event?

A "ceremony" typically involves specific rituals, formal procedures, and symbolic actions, whereas a regular event may be more informal and lack these structured elements.

Is it appropriate to use "ceremony" to describe a casual gathering?

No, "ceremony" is best reserved for formal or significant events with established rituals. A casual gathering would be better described as a "party", "get-together", or "social event".