honorary
adj.adj. given as an honor to someone who has not done the usual work or training for it. You often see this when a university gives a degree to a famous person to show respect.
adj. conferred as an honour without the recipient having to fulfil the standard requirements or duties. Often describes titles or degrees granted in recognition of achievement rather than through formal study or election.
The university gave the famous writer an honorary degree.
She serves as the honorary president of the charity, though she does not manage its daily operations.
While the position is purely honorary and carries no voting rights, its occupant provides significant prestige and helps attract high-level donors to the foundation's annual gala.
From honor + -ary, modelled after French honoraire, from Latin honōrārius.
From Latin honōrārium.
Typically used as an attributive adjective before the noun it modifies.
an honourary degreean honorary degreeWhile 'honour' is spelled with a 'u' in British English, the adjective 'honorary' never contains a 'u' in any standard dialect.