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

In addition to Wintour, the 2024 Met Gala co-chairs are Bad Bunny, Zendaya, first-time attendee Chris Hemsworth and Jennifer Lopez, and the honorary chairs are Loewe creative director Jonathan Anderson and TikTok CEO Shou Zi Chew. —Danielle Directo-Meston, The Hollywood Reporter, 5 May 2024

Along with TikTok, the luxury fashion brand Loewe is a sponsor; its creative director, Jonathan Anderson, will serve alongside Mr. Chew as an honorary chair. —Sapna Maheshwari, New York Times, 3 May 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