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

Kelsea Ballerini is almost like an honorary Jonas sister. —Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 2 Sep. 2025

The winner will also be considered to receive an honorary doctorate from Northern Arizona University. —Erick Trevino, AZCentral.com, 29 Aug. 2025

However, the singer did receive an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from New York University in 2022. —Haadiza Ogwude, The Enquirer, 28 Aug. 2025

And at the festival’s opening ceremony Wednesday night, Coppola took to the dais to champion his longtime friend, the German filmmaker Werner Herzog, recipient of the festival’s honorary Golden Lion for lifetime achievement. —Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 27 Aug. 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