How to pronounce ceremonious
Say it like ser-uh-MOH-nee-us. Ceremonious has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MOH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce ceremonious. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- ser
- uh
- MOH
- nee
- us
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Ceremonious pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- serGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "e" in bed.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- MOHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "o" in go.
- neeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- usKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of ceremonious
- The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh".
British respelling: ser-ih-MOH-nih-us.
What does ceremonious mean?
- According to the required or usual ceremonies, formalities, or rituals; specifically (Christianity, obsolete), to ceremonial laws in the Bible.
- Involving much ceremony; ostentatious, showy.
- Of a person: fond of ceremony or ritual, or of observing strict etiquette or formality; punctilious.
Where does ceremonious come from?
Learned borrowing from Middle French cérémonieux (modern French cérémonieux) or directly from its etymon Latin caerimōniōsus + English -ous (suffix forming adjectives from nouns, denoting the presence of a quality in any degree (typically an abundance)).
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with ceremonious
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of ceremonious.
Questions about saying ceremonious
How do you pronounce ceremonious?
Say ser-uh-MOH-nee-us. The American pronunciation is /ˌsɛrəˈmoʊniəs/. In British English it is /sɛrɪˈməʊnɪəs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in ceremonious?
Ceremonious has five syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (MOH). Broken into parts: ser · uh · MOH · nee · us.
Is ceremonious pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The long o starts further forward in British English, closer to "uh-oo" than the American "oh". The British form is /sɛrɪˈməʊnɪəs/ (ser-ih-MOH-nih-us).