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.
Freud spoke to BBC Radio Suffolk on Monday, after she received an honorary doctorate for her work in film and broadcasting at the University of Suffolk on Saturday.
From BBC ● Oct. 19, 2026
Their marriage followed a rare public appearance together at the César Awards in Paris in February, when Carrey accepted an honorary award and offered a sweet tribute to his partner from the stage.
From MarketWatch ● Oct. 13, 2026
Yet the only Oscar actually in his possession is an honorary one for his 45-year career.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 10, 2026
Since leaving office, he has served as the honorary chairman of Georgian Dream, the party he founded.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 13, 2026
Over the years she was showered with awards, tributes, and honorary degrees.
From "The Voice That Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights" by Russell Freedman
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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.
