honour

[ on-er ]

/ ˈɒn ər /

Save This Word!

noun, verb (used with object), adjective Chiefly British.

honor.

QUIZ

SHALL WE PLAY A "SHALL" VS. "SHOULD" CHALLENGE?

Should you take this quiz on “shall” versus “should”? It should prove to be a quick challenge!

Question 1 of 6

Which form is used to state an obligation or duty someone has?

shall

should

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

usage note for honour

See -or¹.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022

How to use honour in a sentence

As the public inquiry gets under away later this year, his pledge may at last be honoured.
The Daniel Morgan Murder: An Unsolved Mystery of the Murdoch Hacking Scandal|Peter Jukes|May 10, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Malala has been honoured by the nation by the world, by people of all classes of all creeds of all colors.
Malala Yousafzai’s Father Calls Daughter’s Recovery 'Miraculous'|The Telegraph|October 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Stephen Gault, who was injured in the bombing, and whose father, Samuel, was killed, said he was honoured to have met the Queen.
Queen in Northern Ireland|Tom Sykes|June 26, 2012|DAILY BEAST
Mike, 33, said: “We are truly honoured and delighted to have Prince Harry supporting the work of Rugby For Heroes.”
Harry Backs Another Military Charity|Tom Sykes|May 3, 2012|DAILY BEAST

Each picture bore a label, giving a true description of the once-honoured gem.
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume I (of 3)|Charles James Wills
El Imparcial maintained that he was worthy of being honoured as a 19th century conquering hero.
The Philippine Islands|John Foreman
We have been in the profession some years, Mr. Pickwick, and have been honoured with the confidence of many excellent clients.
The Posthumous Papers of the Pickwick Club, v. 2(of 2)|Charles Dickens
Hitherto we have honoured his drafts, and kept your name and his free from disgrace.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, No. CCCXXXIX. January, 1844. Vol. LV.|Various
Monsieur de Garnache, if you have no friend at hand to act for you, I shall esteem myself honoured.
St. Martin's Summer|Rafael Sabatini

British Dictionary definitions for honour (1 of 2)

honour

US honor

/ (ˈɒnə) /

noun

personal integrity; allegiance to moral principles

fame or glory
a person or thing that wins this for anotherhe is an honour to the school

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

(often plural) high or noble rank

a privilege or pleasureit is an honour to serve you

a woman's virtue or chastity

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

golf the right to tee off first

do honour to

to pay homage to
to be a credit to

do the honours

to serve as host or hostess
to perform a social act, such as carving meat, proposing a toast, etc

honour bright British school slang an exclamation pledging honour

in honour bound under a moral obligation

in honour of out of respect for

on one's honour or upon one's honour on the pledge of one's word or good name

verb (tr)

to hold in respect or esteem

to show courteous behaviour towards

to worship

to confer a distinction upon

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

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

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

Derived forms of honour

honourer or US honorer, nounhonourless or US honorless, adjective

Word Origin for honour

C12: from Old French onor, from Latin honor esteem

British Dictionary definitions for honour (2 of 2)

Honour

/ (ˈɒnə) /

noun

(preceded by Your, His, or Her)

a title used to or of certain judges
(in Ireland) a form of address in general use

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

honour

usage note for honour

Words related to honour

How to use honour in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for honour (1 of 2)

US honor

Derived forms of honour

Word Origin for honour

British Dictionary definitions for honour (2 of 2)