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honorary degree

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

noun

plural

honorary degrees

  1. 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.

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.

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

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

From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2025

Five-time Grammy-winning record producer Steve Lillywhite has received an honorary degree from the University of Surrey.

From BBC • May 2, 2025

Receiving an honorary degree from Capitol College in Maryland.

From "Reaching for the Moon" by Katherine Johnson

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.