honorary

adjective

hon·​or·​ary ˈä-nə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce honorary (audio)
1
a
: having or conferring distinction
an honorary engineering society
b
: commemorative
an honorary plaque
2
: dependent on honor or a keen sense of ethical conduct for fulfillment
an honorary obligation
3
a
: conferred or elected in recognition of achievement or service without the usual prerequisites or obligations
an honorary degree
an honorary member
b
: unpaid, voluntary
an honorary chairman
honorarily adverb
honorary noun

Examples of honorary in a Sentence

He was awarded an honorary degree. He's an honorary member of the club. He is the honorary president of the commission.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Jones will be be honored posthumously with an honorary Oscar at this year’s Governor’s Awards event on Nov. 17. Jennifer Frederick, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024 Jones will be honored posthumously on with the honorary Oscar at the Academy’s Governor’s Awards on November 17. Tim Lammers, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024 Love Actually filmmaker, Woody Allen casting director score honorary Oscars as Academy reveals season's first awards But Jones is almost certainly best known as a producer. Ew Staff, EW.com, 4 Nov. 2024 In November 2024, Wolf and Lynn are set to be honorary chairs of Moment magazine's annual gala. Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for honorary 

Word History

Etymology

Latin honorarius, from honor

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of honorary was in 1606

Dictionary Entries Near honorary

Cite this Entry

“Honorary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorary. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

honorary

adjective
hon·​or·​ary ˈän-ə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce honorary (audio)
1
: given or done as a sign of honor
an honorary degree
2
: voluntary entry 1 sense 1, unpaid
honorary president
honorarily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on honorary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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