honorary

adjective

hon·​or·​ary ˈä-nə-ˌrer-ē 

1

a

: having or conferring distinction

an honorary engineering society

b

: commemorative

an honorary plaque

2

: dependent on honor or a keen sense of ethical conduct for fulfillment

an honorary obligation

3

a

: conferred or elected in recognition of achievement or service without the usual prerequisites or obligations

an honorary degree

an honorary member

b

: unpaid, voluntary

an honorary chairman

honorarily

ˌä-nə-ˈrer-ə-lē 

adverb

honorary noun

Synonyms

• commemorating
• commemorative
• memorial
• memorializing

Examples of honorary in a Sentence

He was awarded an honorary degree.

He's an honorary member of the club.

He is the honorary president of the commission.

Recent Examples on the Web

Jones will be be honored posthumously with an honorary Oscar at this year’s Governor’s Awards event on Nov. 17. —Jennifer Frederick, Billboard, 4 Nov. 2024

Jones will be honored posthumously on with the honorary Oscar at the Academy’s Governor’s Awards on November 17. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 4 Nov. 2024

Love Actually filmmaker, Woody Allen casting director score honorary Oscars as Academy reveals season's first awards But Jones is almost certainly best known as a producer. —Ew Staff, EW.com, 4 Nov. 2024

In November 2024, Wolf and Lynn are set to be honorary chairs of Moment magazine's annual gala. —Kelsey Lentz, People.com, 4 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin honorarius, from honor

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing honorary

• honorary degree

Kids Definition

honorary

adjective

hon·​or·​ary ˈän-ə-ˌrer-ē 

1

: given or done as a sign of honor

an honorary degree

2

: voluntary entry 1 sense 1, unpaid

honorary president

honorarily

ˌän-ə-ˈrer-ə-lē 

adverb