What does emeritus mean?
Emeritus is an adjective used to describe someone who has retired from active professional life yet retains an honorary version of their former title, most commonly academics ('professor emeritus') and members of the clergy ('pastor emeritus'). Derived from the Latin past participle meaning 'earned by service', the word carries strong connotations of honour and long-standing distinction: the title is not automatic upon retirement but is conferred specifically in recognition of a career of achievement. Emeritus always follows the noun it modifies, and institutions frequently extend privileges to emeritus faculty such as library access, office space, or continued scholarly involvement. The feminine form emerita is increasingly used when referring to women, although emeritus remains acceptable for all. The word is formal and respectful in tone, appearing chiefly in institutional announcements, obituaries, and academic contexts rather than everyday conversation.
A person who holds emeritus status, i.e. one retired but retaining an honorary form of their former title.
"The department's emeriti were invited to the anniversary dinner."
The plural is 'emeriti' (masculine or mixed group) or 'emeritae' (a group of women); singular feminine is 'emerita'.
Retired from active professional life while retaining an honorary version of one's former title, in recognition of distinguished service.
"She serves as chairwoman emeritus of the foundation's board."
Used postpositively after the title it modifies; the feminine form is 'emerita'.
The plural follows Latin convention: emeriti for groups including men or of unspecified composition, emeritae exclusively for groups of women. Many writers avoid the issue by using the adjective form collectively.
"The university honoured its emeriti at a special convocation."
In Latin, emeritus literally means 'earned by service' — so a retired title isn't given away for free; it's been paid for over decades.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of emeritus
Emeritus comes directly from Latin, where it is the past participle of 'emereri', meaning 'to earn fully by service'. It entered English in the early 17th century, initially applied to soldiers who had completed their term of service before being extended to retired clergy and, later, academics. It shares its root with the English words 'merit', 'meritorious', and 'demerit', all tracing back to the same Latin verb of earning or deserving.
Related word forms
How emeritus is actually used
Formal in register and almost always placed directly after the noun it qualifies ('professor emeritus', never 'emeritus professor' in careful American usage, though the latter is common in British English). When referring to a woman, 'emerita' is often preferred, though 'emeritus' is widely used for both. The plural forms are 'emerti' (masculine/mixed) and 'emeritae' (feminine), though these are rare; many writers simply use 'emeritus' collectively.