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

An All-Star draft was held on July 15 with honorary general managers Teresa Weatherspoon and Cynthia Cooper. — Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 25 July 2026

After financially sponsoring and serving as an honorary co-chair of the 2026 Met Gala, Lauren Sánchez Bezos seems eager to continue investing in the fashion industry. — Allison Degrushe, StyleCaster, 25 July 2026

Wolstenholme gives honorary mentions to Tamdhu, Glendronach and the award winning Glenallachie. — Mark Littler, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Ahead of the 95th Academy Awards, Fox was awarded an honorary Oscar at the 13th annual Governors Awards for his Parkinson’s advocacy in November 2022. — Kate Hogan, PEOPLE, 21 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