What does honouree mean?
An honouree is a person who receives an award, honour, tribute, or other public recognition. The word is used especially in announcements and reports of ceremonies, festivals, competitions, and commemorative events, where one or more people are singled out for their achievements or service. It is more specific than honoree in tone, although the two terms are closely related and often interchangeable, with regional spelling differences. Honouree is a formal noun rather than a general label for any respected person: it identifies someone officially recognized by an institution or event. Its wording conveys ceremony and distinction without necessarily implying that the recipient won a competitive prize, since the honour may be honorary, commemorative, or bestowed for exceptional service. The term is especially familiar in British, Commonwealth, and international English, while the variant honoree is particularly common in American usage.
nounA person who is being honoured, especially someone who receives an award, recognition, or tribute at a ceremony or public event.
- A person who receives an award, honour, tribute, or public recognition.
"The festival's guest of honour was celebrated for her outstanding contribution to the arts."
"The ceremony named three outstanding volunteers as this year's honourees."
"As the principal honouree, she delivered the opening address in both English and French."
The regular plural is used when referring to multiple award recipients or people receiving recognition.
"This year's honourees were honoured at a ceremony held at the town hall."
Honouree entered English from French in the 19th century, preserving the accent of the French past participle from which it descends.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does honouree come from?
Honouree comes from the French past participle honoré, meaning “honoured,” derived from the French verb honorer, “to honour.” The French verb ultimately draws on Latin honorare, from honor, meaning honour or respect. Honouree entered English in the 19th century and is a close English cognate of honor, honour, honorable, and honorific.
Related word forms
How honouree is actually used
This is a formal noun used chiefly for recipients of awards, honours, or special recognition. The spelling honouree is particularly associated with British and Commonwealth English, although it is also used in the United States; honoree is the more common American spelling.
Easily confused with honouree
Honouree and honoree are spelling variants of the same noun; honouree is especially common in British and Commonwealth English, while honoree is particularly common in American English.