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

Admunsen High School student Alison Segarra and Dundee-Crown High School student Alejandro Gonzalez will serve as the Bears' 2026 Latino Heritage Month Youth Leaders, and will serve as honorary team captains at midfield during the pregame coin toss. — Noel Brennan, CBS News, 28 Sep. 2026

The name of the tournament comes from including the head of state of the host country to be honorary chairman. — ABC News, 27 Sep. 2026

The two were the honorary captains for home opener, a good reminder that this organization has a long history of drafting and developing talent. — Miami Herald, 27 Sep. 2026

President Joe Biden was the honorary chairman of the event in 2022, and President Barack Obama was honorary chairman in 2013 and 2009. — Olivia Olander, Chicago Tribune, 27 Sep. 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