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

• commemorative
• commemorating
• memorial

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

Owens was selected by the Chicago Cubs as part of the honorary draft. —Jason Pham, StyleCaster, 25 Sep. 2025

Alessandro, the great-grandson of the company’s founder Lorenzo, who started the company in 1889, remains honorary president of the firm. —Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025

The actress won an honorary Golden Bear at the 2002 Berlin Film Festival, a career Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival in 1993 and a career David at Italy’s David di Donatello Awards in 1997. —Carmel Dagan, Variety, 23 Sep. 2025

Manilow has won two Primetime Emmys, a Grammy and an honorary Tony. —Paul Grein, Billboard, 23 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Latin honorarius, from honor

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing honorary

• honorary degree

Rhymes for honorary

• accessary
• adversary
• ancillary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• beriberi
• breviary
• budgetary
• capillary
• catenary
• cautionary

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