honorific

[ on-uh-rif-ik ]

adjective

1. Also honorifical. doing or conferring honor.
2. conveying honor, as a title or a grammatical form used in speaking to or about a superior, elder, etc.

noun

1. (in certain languages, as Chinese and Japanese) a class of forms used to show respect, especially in direct address.
2. a title or term of respect.

honorific

/ ˌɒnəˈrɪfɪk /

adjective

1. showing or conferring honour or respect
2. 1. (of a pronoun, verb inflection, etc) indicating the speaker's respect for the addressee or his acknowledgment of inferior status
   2. ( as noun )

      a Japanese honorific

Derived Forms

• ˌhonorˈifically, adverb

Other Words From

• hon·or·if·i·cal·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of honorific¹

First recorded in 1640–50, honorific is from the Latin word honōrificus honor-making. See honor, -i-, -fic

Example Sentences

She lost her honorific “Her Royal Highness” title in 2002 so as to be allowed to start her own business.

From BBC

On the Zoom screen, his name is “Director Park,” using the title as an honorific, common in Korean culture.

From Los Angeles Times

Howell earned a total of $7,500 for his work on the job, and the honorific of Arizona’s founding document being named “the Howell Code,” according to Wagoner’s book.

From Los Angeles Times

Many honorifics have been heaped on Jonas in an attempt to sum up her trailblazing legacy and elusive spirit: vanguard, mystic, stalwart, pioneer of ecological feminism, canonical video and performance artist.

From New York Times

Instead, all around her, she was awarded an honorific that felt more fitting for a woman in cape and crown: Your mercy.

From New York Times