honor
🇬🇧 /ˈɒnə/
🇺🇸 /ˈɑnɜr/
📖 Definitions
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noun
High respect, esteem, or reverence accorded to a person or thing.; A person's sense of personal integrity, moral worth, and adherence to ethical principles.; A privilege or mark of distinction conferred as a sign of respect or recognition.; A title of respect used to address or refer to certain officials, especially judges and mayors.; A woman's chastity or sexual purity, especially in historical or traditional contexts.; An academic distinction or award given to a student for outstanding achievement, often plural.; In card games, a high-ranking card such as an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten.; In golf, the right to play first from the tee, usually earned by the player with the best score on the previous hole.; The state of being held in high regard or having a good reputation.
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verb
To regard or treat someone with great respect or esteem.; To fulfill or keep a promise, agreement, or obligation.; To confer an award, title, or distinction upon someone.; To accept and pay a financial instrument such as a check or bill of exchange.; To show respect or reverence for a tradition, custom, or memory.
🔗 Details
Word forms
countable / uncountable
Plural: honors
3rd sing.: honors
Past: honored
Past part.: honored
Pres part.: honoring
Collocations
in honor ofword of honormatter of honorhonor systemhonor rollhonor codedo someone honor
Derivatives
honorablehonorablyhonorarydishonordishonorablehonorifichonored
Synonyms
respectesteemdignityintegritydistinctionprivilege
Antonyms
dishonordisgraceshame
Commonly confused
honour
EN: 'Honour' is simply the British English spelling of the same word; 'honor' is American English.
glory
EN: 'Glory' emphasizes fame and admiration from achievement; 'honor' emphasizes moral integrity and respect.
pride
EN: 'Pride' is a personal feeling of satisfaction; 'honor' is a moral quality or external recognition of worth.
Spelling tips
EN: The main pitfall is the American 'honor' vs. British 'honour' distinction. Be consistent within a document and do not mix the two spellings.
💬 Examples
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It was a great honor to be invited to speak at the ceremony.
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He felt his honor had been questioned by the accusation.
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The medal was the highest honor the country could bestow.
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Your Honor, the defense objects to that line of questioning.
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In the old tale, the knight swore to defend the lady's honor.
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She graduated with honors from the university.
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He held three honors in the trump suit.
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After birdieing the last hole, he had the honor on the next tee.
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The family's honor had been restored after years of scandal.
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We honor our veterans on this day of remembrance.