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.
Nor is B-grade a pejorative, but rather an honorable tradition, especially when it comes to sci-fi and horror.
From Los Angeles Times • May 21, 2026
“A 2013 All-Pac-12 honorable mention selection, Mauro was an integral part of four bowl teams, helping lead Stanford to a pair of Rose Bowl Game appearances,” the team wrote.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 29, 2026
Debates about where public money should and shouldn’t flow are a part of the long and honorable tradition of political argument in American life.
From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 13, 2026
The individuals who survive and flourish in such a system are sycophants and mediocrities, and those who have learned to navigate the Great Leader’s moods are far from the most qualified, talented or honorable.
From Salon • Apr. 11, 2026
Nearly all of the city's papers ran the picture, together with an appeal by the police to all citizens of Venice to help the honorable Dottor Massimo find his missing son.
From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke
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.
