honorable
Americanadjective
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in accordance with or characterized by principles of honor; upright.
They were all honorable men.
- Antonyms:
- ignoble
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of high rank, dignity, or distinction; noble, illustrious, or distinguished.
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worthy of honor and high respect; estimable; creditable.
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bringing honor or credit; consistent with honor.
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(initial capital letter)
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(used as a title of respect for certain ranking government officials.)
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British. (used as a title of courtesy for children of peers ranking below a marquis.) Hon.
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Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of honorable
First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English hono(u)rable, from Anglo-French, from Latin honōrābilis; equivalent to honor + -able
Explanation
The word honorable has to do with people and actions that are honest, fair, and worthy of respect. An honorable person is someone who believes in truth and doing the right thing — and tries to live up to those high principles. When you lose a game, it's honorable to shake hands. If you smash into someone's parked car, it's honorable to leave a note so they can contact you. Telling the truth is honorable. This word is also used for people who are deserving of being honored, like when judges are called "The honorable Judge So-and-so."
Vocabulary lists containing honorable
An "August" Assortment: Words Worthy of Honor
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More Positive Words to Describe a Person
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Tears of a Tiger
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Even if your brother-in-law’s motives are entirely honorable, the proposed arrangement leaves the parents in a remarkably vulnerable financial position.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 6, 2026
Both are honorable choices, but judging is practical work with real-world consequences, and it is done under conditions that may militate against scholarly purity.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 2, 2026
He received honorable mention in the Edwin Hood Prize for diplomatic reporting from the National Press Club in 1998.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 8, 2026
“The discrepancy between the honorable conduct expected of federal prosecutors and DOJ’s tactics in this case is unsettling,” McElroy wrote.
From Salon ● Jul. 30, 2026
Pua’s collage earns an honorable mention, as does Nalu’s drawing of Narnia.
From "Clairboyance" by Kristiana Kahakauwila
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
