honorary

adjective

hon·​or·​ary ˈä-nə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce honorary (audio)
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 adverb
honorary noun

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Pusser launched a war against moonshiners, gamblers and others who brought organized crime to the county, said Steve Sweat, a lifelong county resident and the state’s honorary Buford Pusser historian. Faith Karimi, CNN Money, 11 Sep. 2025 In addition, Billboard will recognize select artists with prestigious honorary awards, which will be announced soon. Griselda Flores, Billboard, 10 Sep. 2025 Jones later received his honorary Oscar in front of the crowd at Wyndham's Theatre for his performance. Vandana Pawa, People.com, 9 Sep. 2025 The Trojans’ honorary captain Saturday, the alumnus who would lead them through the tunnel and onto the field, was Deontay Burnett, who was the receiving hero when Helton’s Trojans beat Penn State in the Rose Bowl on the first day of 2017, probably the high point of his Trojans tenure. Jim Alexander, Oc Register, 7 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for honorary

Word History

Etymology

Latin honorarius, from honor

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of honorary was in 1606

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Honorary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorary. Accessed 13 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

honorary

adjective
hon·​or·​ary ˈän-ə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce honorary (audio)
1
: given or done as a sign of honor
an honorary degree
2
: voluntary entry 1 sense 1, unpaid
honorary president
honorarily adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on honorary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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