honor
ON-uh
Also spelled honour (UK spelling)
Honor (noun) means Great respect or high regard, often earned through integrity or achievement. Example: “It was an honor to be asked to give the toast at the wedding.”
noun
1
Great respect or high regard, often earned through integrity or achievement.
"It was an honor to be asked to give the toast at the wedding."
"The soldiers were buried with full military honors."
"The retired nurse was held in high honor by everyone in the village."
2
A strong sense of what is morally right; personal integrity.
"He refused to break the deal, saying it was a matter of honor."
"A man of honor does not lie to save himself."
"She kept the secret out of a deep sense of honor."
verb
1
To show great respect for someone or something.
"The city honored the firefighters with a parade."
"Every year we honor our grandparents by sharing stories around the family table."
"The school will honor its retiring teacher with a special assembly."
2
To fulfill or keep to an agreement, promise, or commitment.
"The store agreed to honor the expired coupon as a courtesy."
"The airline promised to honor my ticket on the later flight."
"You must honor your promise to help them move house."
How to use honor
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishDeep respect, personal integrity, or the act of showing respect or keeping a promise.
UK vs US
Spelled "honour" in British English, "honor" in American English.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
honor a commitment
guest of honor
sense of honor
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Word forms
- Plural
- honors
- Third person singular
- honors
- Past tense
- honored
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was an _____ to be asked to give the toast at the wedding.
Etymology
From Old French honor, from Latin honor.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for honor
See all rhymes for honor →Frequently asked questions
What does “honor” mean?
The word “honor” means great respect or high regard, often earned through integrity or achievement. In plain terms, deep respect, personal integrity, or the act of showing respect or keeping a promise.
How do you pronounce “honor”?
“Honor” is pronounced ON-uh (/ˈɑ.nɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “honor” in a sentence?
Here is “honor” used in a sentence: “It was an honor to be asked to give the toast at the wedding.”
What is another word for “honor”?
Words with a similar meaning to “honor” include chivalry, glory and gentlemanliness.
What is the opposite of “honor”?
The opposite of “honor” — its antonyms — are dishonor and dishonour.
What part of speech is “honor”?
Depending on how it is used, “honor” can be a noun and a verb.
Where does the word “honor” come from?
The word “honor” comes from Latin. From Old French honor, from Latin honor.
Is “honor” a common word?
“Honor” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between honor and honour?
There is no difference in meaning — only in spelling. Honor is the American spelling, while honour is used in British and most Commonwealth English. The same applies to related words like honorable and honourable. Choose the spelling that matches your audience and use it consistently throughout a piece of writing.
What is the difference between honor and respect?
Respect is admiration or regard for someone or something. Honor is deeper and weightier: great respect earned through integrity, courage, or achievement, and it often carries a moral dimension. You can respect a person's talent, but you honor their character. Honor also tends to imply public recognition in a way respect need not.
Is honor a positive word?
Yes, strongly so. Honor conveys esteem, dignity, and moral worth, whether describing the respect someone receives or the principles they live by. Being called honorable is high praise. It turns negative only in its opposite forms — dishonor or disgrace — which describe the loss of that respect and standing.
What is an example of honor?
Honor appears in several ways: receiving an award or medal is being given an honor; keeping your word out of principle shows personal honor; and calling something an honor marks it as a privilege, as in it was an honor to speak. Each reflects deep respect, whether given or held.
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