honorary
Americanadjective
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given for honor only, without the usual requirements, duties, privileges, emoluments, etc..
The university presented the new governor with an honorary degree.
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holding a title or position conferred for honor only.
an honorary president.
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(of an obligation) depending on one's honor for fulfillment.
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conferring or commemorating honor or distinction.
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given, made, or serving as a token of honor.
an honorary gift.
adjective
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(esp of a position, title, etc) held or given only as an honour, without the normal privileges or duties
an honorary degree
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(of a secretary, treasurer, etc) unpaid
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having such a position or title
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depending on honour rather than legal agreement
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of honorary
First recorded in 1605–15, honorary is from the Latin word honōrārius relating to honor. See honor, -ary
Explanation
Honorary titles or awards are given to people out of respect. There's a big difference between a regular Ph.D. and an honorary Ph.D. To get the regular one, you have to go to school for many years. On the other hand, an honorary Ph.D. is given to a respected or beloved person who didn’t go through the program. An honorary position in a government may sound fancy, but it carries no power or responsibilities (and is usually unpaid). In many ways, it’s not a real position. Honorary things are just titles.
Vocabulary lists containing honorary
Born a Crime
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Academy Awards, List 2
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The Darkest Minds
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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.
The honorary consul of Poland in Northern Ireland, Jerome Mullen, said he had never experienced such a tragedy in his 18 years in the job.
From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2026
His innovations were honored with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ honorary Gordon E. Sawyer Award and an Academy Scientific and Technical Award, among other prizes.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 12, 2026
"Diogo is our sun and our light," says Martinez, who named Jota as an honorary 'plus-one' player when he announced his squad in May.
From BBC ● Jul. 2, 2026
During the Spanish Civil War and after, Hemingway made the place his own, held court along with honorary Madrileña, Ava Gardner, both enjoying a constant flow of bullfight enthusiasts, practitioners, and of course, writers.
From Salon ● Jun. 23, 2026
“Because of the circumstances, maybe there might be a special degree, an honorary degree.”
From "Life Is So Good" by George Dawson
Definitions 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.
