honourable
Honourable (adj) means the British spelling of honorable — deserving respect for good, fair, or moral conduct. Example: “It was an honourable decision to return the extra money.”
adj
1
The British spelling of honorable — deserving respect for good, fair, or moral conduct.
"It was an honourable decision to return the extra money."
"The judge praised the honourable conduct of both lawyers."
"He gave an honourable answer, even though the truth embarrassed him."
How to use honourable
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUK spelling of "honorable" — worthy of respect because of good, decent behaviour.
UK vs US
British/Commonwealth spelling keeps the "u"; American English writes "honorable".
Easily confused with
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Word forms
- Plural
- honourables
- Comparative
- more honourable
- Superlative
- most honourable
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
It was an _____ decision to return the extra money.
Etymology
From Old French honorable, from Latin honōrābilis, built on honōrō, "to honour."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for honourable
See all rhymes for honourable →Frequently asked questions
What does “honourable” mean?
The word “honourable” means the British spelling of honorable — deserving respect for good, fair, or moral conduct. In plain terms, uK spelling of "honorable" — worthy of respect because of good, decent behaviour.
How do you use “honourable” in a sentence?
Here is “honourable” used in a sentence: “It was an honourable decision to return the extra money.”
What part of speech is “honourable”?
“Honourable” is an adjective.
Where does the word “honourable” come from?
The word “honourable” comes from Latin. From Old French honorable, from Latin honōrābilis, built on honōrō, "to honour.".
Is “honourable” a common word?
“Honourable” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B2 level.
What is the difference between 'honourable' and 'honorable'?
Honourable is the British spelling, while honorable is the American spelling; both describe someone deserving respect for good, fair, or moral conduct. The meaning is identical, and only the spelling convention differs by region.
When is 'The Honourable' used as a title?
'The Honourable' is commonly used as a formal title of respect before the names of certain officials, judges, or members of parliament in Commonwealth countries. It signals a position of standing rather than describing personal character alone.
Is 'honourable' used in American English?
American English generally uses the spelling 'honorable' instead, following its preference for dropping the 'u' in words like colour and favour. Honourable is standard in British, Canadian, and other Commonwealth English.
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