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

He was also given an honorary doctorate from his alma mater, the University of Pittsburgh, in 2022. —CBS News, 7 Mar. 2026

The Iditarod has started a new Iditarod Expedition Musher Program, which allows people to race in the honorary category. —ABC News, 7 Mar. 2026

New Zealand filmmaking icon Peter Jackson will be awarded an honorary Palme d’Or at this year’s Cannes Film Festival. —Alex Ritman, Variety, 5 Mar. 2026

Oscar-winning New Zealand director Peter Jackson will be feted with the Cannes Film Festival’s honorary Palme d’Or at its 79th edition running from May 12 to 23. —Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 5 Mar. 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
• 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