honorary

adjective

hon·​or·​ary ˈä-nə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce honorary (audio)
Synonyms 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
honorarily
ˌä-nə-ˈrer-ə-lē How to pronounce honorary (audio)
adverb
honorary noun

Synonyms of honorary

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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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Having befriended Billy Ray Cyrus in the early ’90s, Parton was Cyrus’s honorary godmother and even lived up to that designation through guest spots on Hannah Montana. — Marah Eakin, Vulture, 26 Aug. 2026 After Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sánchez Bezos served as lead sponsors and honorary chairs of the 2026 Met Gala, multiple sources say Wintour had hoped the couple might return as major patrons in 2027. — Merle Ginsberg, HollywoodReporter, 26 Aug. 2026 He’s never settled into a particular genre and, perhaps due to that wide-ranging restlessness, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences will be awarding him an honorary Oscar in November. — Emily Zemler, Los Angeles Times, 26 Aug. 2026 As the honorary team captain, Patinkin will make select appearances at USA Fencing events while supporting the team on their journey to the Games. — Tanya Fedak, Variety, 26 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for honorary

Word History

Etymology

Latin honorarius, from honor

First Known Use

1606, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of honorary was in 1606

Phrases Containing honorary

Rhymes for honorary

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Browse Nearby Words

honorarium
honorary
honorary canon
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Cite this Entry

“Honorary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorary. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

honorary

adjective
hon·​or·​ary ˈän-ə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce honorary (audio)
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 How to pronounce honorary (audio)
adverb
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