Word
honorary
Phoneticshon·orary
US/ˈɑnɝˌɛɹi/
UK/ˈɒnəɹəɹi/
Definitions
01given as an honor
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. given as a special honor to someone, even if they did not do the usual work or study for it.
adj. conferred as an honor, typically without the recipient having fulfilled the standard requirements or being expected to perform the usual duties.
“The university gave the famous writer an honorary degree during the graduation ceremony.”
“The university decided to confer an honorary doctorate upon the philanthropist in recognition of her lifelong commitment to global literacy.”
Usage
Usually placed before the noun it modifies.
Antonyms
02unpaid or voluntary
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. describing a job or position that someone does for free, usually for a club or charity.
adj. holding a title or position without receiving a salary or regular payment; often used for administrative roles in voluntary organisations.
“He serves as the honorary treasurer for the local tennis club.”
“Despite being an honorary position with no financial remuneration, the role of secretary requires a significant commitment of time and expertise.”
Usage
Commonly used in the titles of officers in societies and clubs.
03a person with an honorary title
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Formal · Technical
n. a person who has been given an honorary title or position.
n. a person who holds an honorary appointment or title.
“The honoraries were invited to sit at the front of the hall.”
“The gala dinner was attended by several honoraries of the society, all of whom had contributed significantly to the field of architecture.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“In 2022, his vision and leadership was celebrated with an honorary chair in creative health and social change at the University of Manchester.” “He was one of the few humans "to have earned the title of honorary Muppet", the Muppets account posted on Tuesday.” Etymology
From honor + -ary, modelled after French honoraire, from Latin honōrārius.
From Latin honōrārium.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
ADVERB
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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