honor

[ on-er ]

noun

1. honesty, fairness, or integrity in one's beliefs and actions:

   a man of honor.

   Synonyms: uprightness, probity

   Antonyms: dishonesty, dishonor

2. a source of credit or distinction:

   to be an honor to one's family.

3. high respect, as for worth, merit, or rank:

   to be held in honor.

   Synonyms: veneration, reverence, homage, deference

4. such respect manifested:

   a memorial in honor of the dead.

5. high public esteem; fame; glory:

   He has earned his position of honor.

   Synonyms: distinction

6. the privilege of being associated with or receiving a favor from a respected person, group, organization, etc.:

   I had the honor of serving on the Pulitzer Prize jury.

   It is an honor to introduce this evening's speaker.

7. Usually honors. evidence, as a special ceremony, decoration, scroll, or title, of high rank, dignity, or distinction:

   political honors;

   military honors.

8. Honor, a deferential title of respect, especially for judges and mayors (preceded by His, Her, Your, etc.).
9. honors,
   1. special rank or distinction conferred by a university, college, or school upon a student for eminence in scholarship or success in some particular subject.
   2. an advanced course of study for superior students. Compare honors course.
10. especially historically, chastity or purity in a woman.
11. Also called honor card. Cards.
    1. Bridge. any of the five highest trump cards, as an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten in the trump suit, or any of the four aces in a no-trump contract. Compare honor trick.
    2. Whist. any of the four highest trump cards, as an ace, king, queen, or jack in the trump suit.
12. Golf. the privilege of teeing off before the other player or side, given after the first hole to the player or side that won the previous hole.

verb (used with object)

1. to hold in honor or high respect; revere:

   to honor one's parents.

   Synonyms: venerate, esteem

2. to treat with honor.
3. to confer honor or distinction upon:

   The university honored her with its leadership award.

4. to worship, glorify, or serve (a deity):

   Believers honor Hanuman as the embodiment of strength and courage.

   May he grow to be a man who loves and honors God.

5. to show a courteous regard for:

   to honor an invitation.

6. Commerce. to accept or pay (a draft, check, etc.):

   All credit cards are honored here.

7. to accept as valid and conform to the request or demands of (an official document).
8. (in square dancing) to meet or salute with a bow.

adjective

1. of, relating to, or noting honor.

honor

/ ˈɒnə /

noun

1. See honour
   the US spelling of honour

Other Words From

• hon·or·er noun
• hon·or·less adjective
• o·ver·hon·or verb (used with object)
• re·hon·or verb (used with object)
• self-hon·ored adjective
• un·hon·ored adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of honor¹

First recorded in 1150–1200; Middle English noun (h)onour, (h)onor, from Old French (h)onor, onur, from Latin honōr- (stem of honor, earlier honōs); verb ultimately derivative of the noun

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. be on / upon one's honor, to accept and acknowledge personal responsibility for one's actions:

   West Point cadets are on their honor not to cheat on an exam.

2. do honor to,
   1. to show respect to.
   2. to be a credit to:

      Such good students would do honor to any teacher.

3. do the honors, to serve or preside as host, as in introducing people, or carving or serving at table:

   Father did the honors at the family Thanksgiving dinner.

More idioms and phrases containing honor

In addition to the idiom beginning with honor , also see do the honors ; in honor of ; on one's honor ; word of honor .

Synonym Study

Honor, honesty, integrity, sincerity refer to the highest moral principles and the absence of deceit or fraud. Honor denotes a fine sense of, and a strict conformity to, what is considered morally right or due: a high sense of honor; on one's honor. Honesty denotes the presence of probity and particularly the absence of deceit or fraud, especially in business dealings: uncompromising honesty and trustworthiness. Integrity indicates a soundness of moral principle that no power or influence can impair: a man of unquestioned integrity and dependability. Sincerity implies absence of dissimulation or deceit, and a strong adherence to truth: His sincerity was evident in every word. Honor, consideration, distinction refer to the regard in which one is held by others. Honor suggests a combination of liking and respect: His colleagues held him in great honor. Consideration suggests honor because of proved worth: a man worthy of the highest consideration. Distinction suggests particular honor because of qualities or accomplishments: She achieved distinction as a violinist at an early age.

Example Sentences

Venture capitalist Mike Speiser, one of the earliest backers, came up with the company name in honor of the team’s love of skiing.

From Fortune

“If we lose our reputation for honoring the promises we make, we will have lost something beyond price that may never be regained,” former Tory Prime Minister John Major said.

From Fortune

Over the past five years, work edited by Weber has won virtually every significant honor in journalism.

From ProPublica

I am proud to represent Africa, Côte d’Ivoire and to honor my ancestors.

From Essence.com

It’s a reminder that when the pressure is on, it is an honor to compete for such high stakes.

From Fortune

These days, to be featured by Travel Noire on Instagram is like a badge of honor for many black millennial travelers.

From The Daily Beast

In honor of her big year, here are some little-known facts about the songstress, courtesy of BuzzFeed.

From The Daily Beast

One of the honor guard approached with slow, measured steps and presented the flag to a uniformed captain.

From The Daily Beast

Then I was the December Penthouse Pet, which is a huge honor.

From The Daily Beast

Even the queen saw fit to honor him with the Order of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace in 2008.

From The Daily Beast

Gourges fitted out three vessels and 150 soldiers at his own expense to revenge their death, and repair the honor of his nation.

From Project Gutenberg

I thank you, General, but General Blair has just done me the great honor of appointing me on his staff.

From Project Gutenberg

It is advisable for the honor and respect of your Majesty, to put a stop to as much as possible.

From Project Gutenberg

She knew that the man's honor, his respect for his race and their struggle had brought him to commit the sacrifice.

From Project Gutenberg

High-minded and possessing a keen sense of honor himself, he had an instinctive aversion to anything mean or low in others.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• admire
• appreciate
• celebrate
• commemorate
• commend
• laud
• observe
• praise
• revere
• worship