honorary degree

American

[ahn-uh-rer-ee-di-gree] / ˈɑn əˌrɛr i dɪˈgri /

noun

an academic degree, conferred by a university or similar institution in recognition of a person's contributions to and achievements within a specific area, rather than in recognition of appropriate study or research.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

honorary degrees

plural

Example Sentences

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honorary degree

Although it was not related to an honorary degree, the band members were each gifted caps and gowns to wear.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 8, 2026

He also received an honorary degree from Otis College of Art and Design in 2022.

From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 26, 2025

Oxford University will award an honorary degree to President Steinmeier, on a trip where he will learn about medical research at the university.

From BBC ● Dec. 1, 2025

The university’s granting of an honorary degree to the Dalai Lama the year before.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 28, 2025

“Seriously? Jamie, what’s wrong? And don’t tell me it’s nothing—I have an honorary degree in trying to keep my feelings a secret.”

From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023