English edit

Alternative forms edit

Pronunciation edit

  • (General American) IPA(key): /ˈɑn.əˌrɛr.i/, enPR: ŏnʹə-rĕr'ē
  • (file)

Etymology 1 edit

From honor +‎ -ary, modelled after French honoraire, from Latin honōrārius.

Adjective edit

honorary (not comparable)

  1. Given as an honor/honour, with no duties attached, and without payment.
    honorary degree; honorary citizen
  2. Voluntary.
  3. Unofficial; practically. Describes the holder of an unofficial position or title that is assigned as a special honor rather than by normal channels.
    Megsie is an honorary employee because she helps other customers while she shops here.
    I consider you an honorary member of our family because you've been with us for so long.
Derived terms edit
Translations edit

Noun edit

honorary (plural honoraries)

  1. A person who holds an honorary appointment.
  2. (US) A kind of secret society that operates in name only, with membership given to honor some achievement.

Etymology 2 edit

From Latin honōrārium.[1]

Noun edit

honorary (plural honoraries)

  1. An honorarium; a fee for services of no fixed value.

References edit

  1. ^ James A. H. Murray [et al.], editors (1884–1928), “Honorary”, in A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles (Oxford English Dictionary), volumes V (H–K), London: Clarendon Press, →OCLC, page 367, column 1.