honorary

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adjective hon·or·ary \ ˈä-nə-ˌrer-ē \

Definition of honorary

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

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honorarily

play \ˌä-nə-ˈrer-ə-lē\ adverb

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honorary

noun

See honorary defined for English-language learners

See honorary defined for kids

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 of honorary from the Web

Both candidates will serve as ambassadors at community events since the runner-up will become deputy honorary mayor.

— elizabeth marie himchak, Rancho Bernardo, "Rancho Bernardo Honorary Mayor candidate Alex Lawn holds ‘The Big Event’," 30 Aug. 2017
Because of his experience in shipping and port operations, Panama’s foreign minister had named him the country’s honorary consul general to the Philippines.

— peter eisner, Smithsonian, "Without Chick Parsons, General MacArthur May Never Have Made His Famed Return to the Philippines," 22 Aug. 2017
Melania Trump is the honorary chair of this committee.

— yohana desta, vanityfair.com, "Why the White House’s Arts and Humanities Commitee Decided to Resign All at Once Under Trump," 18 Aug. 2017
Still, Pershing was made an honorary Moro chieftain, Linn said.

— alex horton, Washington Post, "Trump said to study General Pershing. Here’s what the president got wrong.," 18 Aug. 2017
The committee, on which first lady Melania Trump serves as honorary chair, was created in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan.

— araceli cruz, Teen Vogue, "President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities Members Resign," 18 Aug. 2017
Coleman, who is African-American, is the honorary chairman of the Jackie Robinson Foundation.

— tyler kepner, New York Times, "Derek Jeter’s Greatness Will Be Tested as Owner of a Losing Team," 16 Aug. 2017
U.S. Rep. John Yarmuth, a Louisville Democrat, is the honorary chairman for the event held by the Louisville section of the National Council of Jewish Women.

— deborah yetter, The Courier-Journal, "Amid heroin crisis, group raises private donations to restore family drug court," 14 Aug. 2017
Ilibagiza has received honorary doctoral degrees from several universities, including Notre Dame, Saint John's, Walsh and the Catholic University of America.

— donna vickroy, Daily Southtown, "Vickroy: From the ashes of Rwanda's genocide rises a phoenix of forgiveness," 28 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'honorary.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of honorary

Latin honorarius, from honor

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First Known Use: 1606

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honorary Synonyms

Synonyms

commemorating, commemorative, memorial, memorializing

Related Words

epitaphial, epitaphic; dedicatory, testimonial; canonizing, enshrining, exalting, glorifying

HONORARY Defined for English Language Learners

honorary

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adjective

Definition of honorary for English Language Learners

: given as a sign of honor or achievement
: regarded as one of a group although not officially elected or included
: holding a position for which no payment is given : not paid

HONORARY Defined for Kids

honorary

play

adjective hon·or·ary \ ˈä-nə-ˌrer-ē \

Definition of honorary for Students

:given or done as an honor

They made him an honorary member of the club.

Learn More about honorary

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for honorary Spanish Central: Translation of honorary Nglish: Translation of honorary for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of honorary for Arabic speakers

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HONORARY Defined for English Language Learners

honorary

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