Jump To:

• honour
  honour

  noun

  honor.
• Honour
  Honour

  noun

honour

American  

[on-er] / ˈɒn ər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. honor.

---

honour ¹ British  

/ ˈɒnə /

noun

1. personal integrity; allegiance to moral principles

2. 1. fame or glory

   2. a person or thing that wins this for another

      he is an honour to the school

3. (often plural) great respect, regard, esteem, etc, or an outward sign of this

4. (often plural) high or noble rank

5. a privilege or pleasure

   it is an honour to serve you

6. a woman's virtue or chastity

7. 1. bridge poker any of the top five cards in a suit or any of the four aces at no trumps

   2. whist any of the top four cards

8. golf the right to tee off first

9. 1. to pay homage to

   2. to be a credit to

10. 1. to serve as host or hostess

    2. to perform a social act, such as carving meat, proposing a toast, etc

11. slang:school an exclamation pledging honour

12. under a moral obligation

13. out of respect for

14. on the pledge of one's word or good name

---

verb

1. to hold in respect or esteem

2. to show courteous behaviour towards

3. to worship

4. to confer a distinction upon

5. to accept and then pay when due (a cheque, draft, etc)

6. to keep (one's promise); fulfil (a previous agreement)

7. to bow or curtsy to (one's dancing partner)

Honour ² British  

/ ˈɒnə /

noun

1. 1. a title used to or of certain judges

   2. (in Ireland) a form of address in general use

---

Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• honourless
  adjective
• honourer
  noun

Etymology

Origin of honour

C12: from Old French onor, from Latin honor esteem

Explanation

Honour is the British English spelling of the word "honor." Honour means respect or prestige. If a teacher wants her students to treat her with honour, she has to be worthy of it, showing them the respect they deserve. An honour is also a tangible award that you are given for some accomplishment. If your grades are great, you might receive an honour at the academic awards banquet. As a verb, honour means to show a high amount of respect. In traditional wedding vows, both the bride and groom promise to love and honour each other.

Example Sentences

John was guest of honour this week at a Tourette's awareness event at Scottish Borders Council's headquarters.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

Cook called it the "honour of a lifetime" to serve as head of the company.

From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026

In the Canary Islands on Thursday and Friday, Leo will meet migrants and the organisations helping them and will be joined by Sanchez to honour thousands of migrants who have died trying to reach Europe.

From Barron's • Jun. 6, 2026

Horse-obsessed Gurbanguly has churned out numerous books about Akhal-Tekes and even penned a rap song in honour of one of his foals.

From Barron's • Jun. 5, 2026

Mrs. Holton sat down in the rocker and said, “He wouldn’t’ve wanted no heavy mourning and I love him ’nough to honour that, so I’m-a be all right.”

From "Elijah of Buxton" by Christopher Paul Curtis