honorific

American  

[on-uh-rif-ik] / ˌɒn əˈrɪf ɪk /

adjective

1. Also honorifical. doing or conferring honor.

2. conveying honor, as a title or a grammatical form used in speaking to or about a superior, elder, etc.

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noun

1. (in certain languages, as Chinese and Japanese) a class of forms used to show respect, especially in direct address.

2. a title or term of respect.

honorific British  

/ ˌɒnəˈrɪfɪk /

adjective

1. showing or conferring honour or respect

2. 1. (of a pronoun, verb inflection, etc) indicating the speaker's respect for the addressee or his acknowledgment of inferior status

   2. ( as noun )

      a Japanese honorific

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Other Word Forms

• honorifically adverb

Etymology

Origin of honorific

First recorded in 1640–50, honorific is from the Latin word honōrificus honor-making. See honor, -i-, -fic

Example Sentences

An old version of her online CV, seen by the BBC, refers to her with the "Dr" honorific and lists a PhD from the University of Liverpool in 1978 as among her qualifications.

From BBC

I have grown into one of those grumps who is wary of how easily we throw around honorifics like “legendary” and “GOAT.”

From Los Angeles Times

Martinez scatters ceramic roses across the painting, a mordant honorific to past glory and current hopes.

From Los Angeles Times

But Thelma turned out to be a boy, so they opted for the honorific.

From Los Angeles Times

She lost her honorific “Her Royal Highness” title in 2002 so as to be allowed to start her own business.

From BBC