honorary Hear it!

honorary Definition

honor·ary (änə rer′ē)

adjective

  1. given as an honor only, without the usual requirements or privileges an honorary degree
    1. designating an office or position held as an honor only, without service or pay
    2. holding such a position or office
    3. recognizing academic distinction or accomplishment an honorary society
  2. depending on one's honor; that cannot be legally enforced or collected: said of debts, etc.

Etymology: L honorarius, of or conferring honor

honorary Related Forms
hon′·or·arily adverb
honorary Synonyms

honorary

modif.

honorary Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • become: He became an Honorary Visiting Professor at the School of Lifelong Learning and Education at Middlesex University on 1st July, 2000.

Modifies a noun

  • doctorate: The story of the award of Johnson's honorary doctorate in March 1775 is told in Boswell's Life of Johnson.
  • fellowship: Honorary Fellowship will not necessarily be awarded every year.
  • fellow: He has also been a Visiting Honorary Fellow of the UK Cochrane Center.
  • graduand: ENDS Notes to Editors There will be an opportunity to photograph the honorary graduands in the 15 minutes prior to each degree ceremony.
  • professorship: He holds an Honorary Professorship in Computer Science, also at UCL.
  • degree: He receives the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.

Modifying Another Word

  • currently: He is also a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners ( STEP ) and is currently honorary treasurer of STEP Scotland.
  • now: Once full time posts, they are now honorary positions.
  • also: She is also Honorary Director of the Medical Research Council Functional Genetics Unit in Oxford.
  • not: Last year, there were only four Management Committee Members who were not Honorary Officers.

Used with adjective complement

  • receive: Professor Schneider and Dr. Loebl will both receive honorary Science Doctorates.
  • have: He has Honorary Degrees from Leeds Metropolitan, Birmingham, Middlesex Universities and Southampton Institute.

Browse dictionary entries near honorary

  1. honorarium
  2. honorably
  3. honorable mention
  4. honorable
  5. honor system
  6. honor society
  7. honor guard
  8. honor
  9. Honolulu
  10. honky-tonk
  1. honored
  2. honoree
  3. honorific
  4. honoris causa
  5. honors
  6. honors of war
  7. honour
  8. Honshu
  9. hoo-ha
  10. hooch