What does honorary mean?
Honorary is an adjective for a title, award, membership, or position granted as a sign of respect rather than for ordinary professional duties. Its most familiar uses—such as an honorary degree, an honorary member, or an honorary president—suggest recognition without salary, contractual obligations, or routine participation, although the absence of payment is not always the central point. In other contexts, “honorary” emphasizes that the distinction is awarded in recognition of a contribution or connection: a commemorative award may honor someone without giving them the status of an ordinary appointment. The word is especially common in institutional, academic, ceremonial, and formal settings, and it often carries a mildly positive connotation of esteem and distinction. It should not be confused with “honorable,” which describes a person or action as worthy of respect or high regard. An honorary title is itself a recognition, whereas an honorable person possesses qualities deserving honor.
adjectiveConferred or held as a mark of respect or distinction, often without payment or regular duties. It can also describe an award, title, or position given in recognition of someone's achievement, service, or connection.
- Conferred or held as a mark of respect or distinction, especially without payment or regular duties.
- Awarded in recognition of achievement, service, or a connection, rather than as part of an ordinary appointment or standard process.
"The university awarded her an honorary doctorate for her outstanding contributions to literature."
"The club invited its former captain to become its honorary president."
"She received an honorary award for her years of service to the community."
An honorary title may carry great respect while involving no salary, official duties, or promise of regular participation.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does honorary come from?
“Honorary” comes from Latin honorarius, meaning “of or relating to honor,” with honor itself deriving from honor, “esteem or respect.” The English word appeared in the early 17th century in the sense of relating to or conferring honor. Related English forms include “honorarium,” a payment or gift made in recognition of services, and “honorific,” an honorific title.
Related word forms
How honorary is actually used
Honorary is common in formal, institutional, academic, and ceremonial contexts. It often implies that the role or distinction is symbolic rather than a regular paid position, but the emphasis may be primarily on recognition rather than on the absence of payment.
Easily confused with honorary
“Honorary” describes a title, award, or role granted as a recognition, whereas “honorable” describes a person, action, or quality as worthy of respect.