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• honour
  honour

  noun

  honor.
• Honour
  Honour

  noun

honour

American  

[on-er] / ˈɒn ər /

noun

Chiefly British.

1. honor.

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honour ¹ British  

/ ˈɒnə /

noun

1. personal integrity; allegiance to moral principles

2. 1. fame or glory

   2. a person or thing that wins this for another

      he is an honour to the school

3. (often plural) great respect, regard, esteem, etc, or an outward sign of this

4. (often plural) high or noble rank

5. a privilege or pleasure

   it is an honour to serve you

6. a woman's virtue or chastity

7. 1. bridge poker any of the top five cards in a suit or any of the four aces at no trumps

   2. whist any of the top four cards

8. golf the right to tee off first

9. 1. to pay homage to

   2. to be a credit to

10. 1. to serve as host or hostess

    2. to perform a social act, such as carving meat, proposing a toast, etc

11. slang:school an exclamation pledging honour

12. under a moral obligation

13. out of respect for

14. on the pledge of one's word or good name

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verb

1. to hold in respect or esteem

2. to show courteous behaviour towards

3. to worship

4. to confer a distinction upon

5. to accept and then pay when due (a cheque, draft, etc)

6. to keep (one's promise); fulfil (a previous agreement)

7. to bow or curtsy to (one's dancing partner)

Honour ² British  

/ ˈɒnə /

noun

1. 1. a title used to or of certain judges

   2. (in Ireland) a form of address in general use

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Spelling

See -or ¹.

Other Word Forms

• honourer
  noun
• honourless
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of honour

C12: from Old French onor, from Latin honor esteem

Explanation

Honour is the British English spelling of the word "honor." Honour means respect or prestige. If a teacher wants her students to treat her with honour, she has to be worthy of it, showing them the respect they deserve. An honour is also a tangible award that you are given for some accomplishment. If your grades are great, you might receive an honour at the academic awards banquet. As a verb, honour means to show a high amount of respect. In traditional wedding vows, both the bride and groom promise to love and honour each other.

Example Sentences

Acclaimed worldwide, Britain made him a Companion of Honour in 1997.

From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026

Iceman's gone in straight at number one on the weekly UK official albums charts, with Maid of Honour at six and Habibti and seven.

From BBC • May 22, 2026

The series has inspired memes and fashion trends, while its creator Star was honoured with the Legion of Honour by President Emmanuel Macron who praised the comedy drama for putting a spotlight on France.

From BBC • May 21, 2026

Five more armed men have since boarded the Honour 25, sources said.

From BBC • Apr. 24, 2026

She had nearly wore out the page erasing Enoch Rucker Blakeslee married Love Honour Simpson on July 5,1906.

From "Cold Sassy Tree" by Olive Ann Burns