honorific

adjective

hon·​or·​if·​ic ˌä-nə-ˈri-fik 

1

: conferring or conveying honor

honorific titles

2

: belonging to or constituting a class of grammatical forms used in speaking to or about a social superior

honorific noun

honorifically

ˌä-nə-ˈri-fi-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of honorific in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

At a tiny piazza near the water, two magnificent Corinthian columns stand atop a staircase as honorific harbor monuments. —Erica Firpo, Travel + Leisure, 8 Feb. 2026

This central enfilade of three house-like honorific rooms was painted a classical color scheme of terra cotta, sky blue and pale grey with glossy off-white trim. —Dan Lobitz, Architectural Digest, 9 Dec. 2025

While the last 12 months have led to important honorific events for the Dead – including being 2024 Kennedy Center Honorees and being named the 2025 MusiCares Persons of the Year – last month saw the passing of Donna Jean Godchaux-MacKay, the only woman to be part of the band’s lineup. —Mike Snider, USA Today, 4 Dec. 2025

Like with honorific titles and church liturgies, the religion viewed setting aside special days as a human convention outside of divine law. —JSTOR Daily, 24 Nov. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for honorific

• calorific
• conspecific
• hieroglyphic
• nonspecific
• scientific
• soporific
• subspecific
• transpacific
• unspecific
• horrific
• pacific
• prolific