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

In 2023, Fox received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, an honorary Oscar bestowed by the Motion Picture Academy at its Governors Awards. — Joe Reid, Vulture, 1 Aug. 2026

And this was no honorary designation, unlike the name-only designation of Northeast Seventh Street in Miami. — Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 1 Aug. 2026

He has also been given an honorary Academy Award and the Presidential Medal of Freedom. — Michael Schneider, Variety, 29 July 2026

He also was awarded an honorary doctorate from Lafayette College. — Anthony D'alessandro, Deadline, 27 July 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