honorary

adjective

hon·​or·​ary ˈä-nə-ˌrer-ē How to pronounce honorary (audio)
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 adverb
honorary noun

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.
The honorary chair is LeBron James, and of course, Anna Wintour is in the mix as well. Lynn Yaeger, Vogue, 28 Apr. 2025 These questions stir beneath this year’s line-up of elite Black men as co-chairs of the event: Colman Domingo, Lewis Hamilton, A$AP Rocky, and Pharrell Williams, along with honorary chair LeBron James. Akilah Sailers, Essence, 28 Apr. 2025 Melania Trump has held several philanthropic roles, serving as chairwoman of the American Heart Association, honorary chairwoman of the Boys’ Club of New York, and honorary chairwoman of the Martha Graham Dance Company, among many others, according to the White House website. Ashley J. Dimella, FOXNews.com, 26 Apr. 2025 The Platino Awards, Ibero-America’s annual film awards ceremony, has got Madrid buzzing, with industry icon Eva Longoria set to pick up the show’s honorary prize on Sunday night. Lily Ford, HollywoodReporter, 26 Apr. 2025 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Honorary.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/honorary. Accessed 2 May. 2025.

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 adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on honorary

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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