ceremony

Everyday

1. A ceremony is a formal event held to mark something important, such as a wedding, a graduation or a prize-giving. tree →
2. Ceremony is also the set of formal actions and words done in the proper way on such an occasion. tree →
3. «Without ceremony» means simply and quickly, with no fuss. tree →

In the lessons

In stories and social studies a ceremony shows that a moment is special: a wedding, a funeral, an opening, an award, a flag-raising. It tells the reader people are dressed up, quiet and following set steps. Phrases: opening ceremony, closing ceremony, award ceremony, wedding ceremony, graduation ceremony, hold a ceremony, stand on ceremony, without ceremony.

Examples

• The whole school went to the award ceremony in the hall. tree →
• My aunt's wedding ceremony took place in a garden. tree →
• The opening ceremony of the Olympic Games had fireworks and music. tree →
• At the ceremony, each pupil shook hands with the head teacher. tree →
• The new library was opened with a short ceremony and a ribbon cutting. tree →
• Please don't stand on ceremony, just help yourself to some cake. tree →
• He dropped the bag on the floor without ceremony. tree →
• Many cultures have a special ceremony when a baby is named. tree →
• Many other ceremonies took place at my departure. tree →

Note

Countable noun: one ceremony, two ceremonies (y becomes ies). Stress on the first syllable: CER-e-mo-ny. The adjective is «ceremonial». «Stand on ceremony» means to be very formal and polite; «don't stand on ceremony» means relax. Do not confuse with «celebration», which can be informal and noisy; a ceremony is formal.

In Jewish tradition

In stories and social studies a ceremony shows that a moment is special: a wedding, a funeral, an opening, an award, a flag-raising. It tells the reader people are dressed up, quiet and following set steps. Phrases: opening ceremony, closing ceremony, award ceremony, wedding ceremony, graduation ceremony, hold a ceremony, stand on ceremony, without ceremony.

Note

Countable noun: one ceremony, two ceremonies (y becomes ies). Stress on the first syllable: CER-e-mo-ny. The adjective is «ceremonial». «Stand on ceremony» means to be very formal and polite; «don't stand on ceremony» means relax. Do not confuse with «celebration», which can be informal and noisy; a ceremony is formal.