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 of honorary

• 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

Following Silvia Venturini Fendi’s transition to honorary president, Chiuri has assumed creative responsibility across the house’s womenswear, menswear, accessories and couture collections. — Ryma Chikhoune, Footwear News, 16 Oct. 2026

Liza Minnelli will serve as honorary chair, alongside the Gala of the Stars Committee that includes Mann, McDonald, NappyTabs, Tori Spelling and William Seely. — Kirsten Chuba, HollywoodReporter, 15 Oct. 2026

Entertainment icon Liza Minnelli, also a past honoree, will serve as honorary chair. — Paul Grein, Billboard, 15 Oct. 2026

In recognition of his philanthropic and community work in Maine, Bowdoin College and Bates College awarded Dempsey honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degrees in 2013 and 2017, respectively. — Encyclopedia Britannica, 9 Oct. 2026

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
• apiary
• arbitrary
• aviary
• axillary
• bacillary
• beriberi
• bestiary
• breviary
• budgetary

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