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
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
Parton's absence from the annual convention came after a prior announcement indicating Parton would not to accept her honorary Oscar in person at the Academy's Governors Awards earlier this month, with Parton instead opting to accept her Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award remotely from Tennessee.
—
Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
Emily Watson will receive the honorary Richard Harris Award at the 2025 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs).
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2025
Natalie was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 1995.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2025
The latter sponsored the Met Gala in 2012 and Bezos, its founder, served as an honorary chair.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorary
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Joey Nolfi, Entertainment Weekly, 27 Nov. 2025
Emily Watson will receive the honorary Richard Harris Award at the 2025 British Independent Film Awards (BIFAs).
—Zac Ntim, Deadline, 25 Nov. 2025
Natalie was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Berklee College of Music in 1995.
—Gail Mitchell, Billboard, 25 Nov. 2025
The latter sponsored the Met Gala in 2012 and Bezos, its founder, served as an honorary chair.
—Kati Chitrakorn, CNN Money, 24 Nov. 2025
See All Example Sentences for honorary
Cite this Entry
“Honorary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorary. Accessed 28 Nov. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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