honorary

[ on-uh-rer-ee ]
See synonyms for honorary on Thesaurus.com
adjective
  1. given for honor only, without the usual requirements, duties, privileges, emoluments, etc.: The university presented the new governor with an honorary degree.

  2. holding a title or position conferred for honor only: an honorary president.

  1. (of an obligation) depending on one's honor for fulfillment.

  2. conferring or commemorating honor or distinction.

  3. given, made, or serving as a token of honor: an honorary gift.

Origin of honorary

1
First recorded in 1605–15, honorary is from the Latin word honōrārius relating to honor. See honor, -ary

Other words from honorary

  • hon·or·ar·i·ly [on-uh-rair-uh-lee], /ˌɒn əˈrɛər ə li/, adverb

Words Nearby honorary

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use honorary in a sentence

  • Certain other officers are also paid, but the vice-presidency and councillorships are honorary posts.

    The Philippine Islands | John Foreman
  • He was given an honorary degree of the university of Oxford in 1886, and in 1888 a statue of him was erected at Birmingham.

  • During the whole time the club has only had two honorary secretaries, the past and the present.

    Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.
  • (p. 66) That the naval officers who are honorary members have been valued friends to the club goes without saying.

    Yachting Vol. 2 | Various.
  • That gives one the honorary rank of captain, but it may be a long time before I get appointed to that rank.

    A Roving Commission | G. A. Henty

British Dictionary definitions for honorary

honorary

/ (ˈɒnərərɪ, ˈɒnrərɪ) /


adjective(usually prenominal)
    • (esp of a position, title, etc) held or given only as an honour, without the normal privileges or duties: an honorary degree

    • (of a secretary, treasurer, etc) unpaid

  1. having such a position or title

  1. depending on honour rather than legal agreement

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012