honorary

[on-uh-rer-ee]

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.

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

4. conferring or commemorating honor or distinction.

5. given, made, or serving as a token of honor.

   an honorary gift.

honorary

/ ˈɒnrərɪ, ˈɒnərərɪ /

adjective

1. 1. (esp of a position, title, etc) held or given only as an honour, without the normal privileges or duties

      an honorary degree

   2. (of a secretary, treasurer, etc) unpaid

2. having such a position or title

3. depending on honour rather than legal agreement

Other Word Forms

• honorarily adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of honorary¹

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

Example Sentences

Tom Cruise is receiving an honorary Oscar, the academy has decided.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

Eventually Sanders donned his trademark white suit and started going by “Colonel,” an honorary distinction granted by Kentucky’s governor.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Yang was also a professor at Beijing's prestigious Tsinghua University and an honorary dean of the Institute for Advanced Study at the institution.

Read more on BBC

He also lost a series of UK military titles including colonel of the Grenadier Guards, honorary air commodore of RAF Lossiemouth and colonel-in-chief of the Royal Irish Regiment.

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Andrew is also relinquishing his other honorary titles, including his membership in the Order of the Royal Garter, the most senior order of knighthood in Britain.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

Related Words

• titular