Meaning & use
honor
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Meanings
noununcountable
Public respect or admiration given to someone for what they have achieved or for the kind of person they are.
Grammar: Often uncountable: a person of honor. Also countable for a privilege: it is an honor.
Patterns
- in honor of someone
- the honor of doing something
- have the honor to do something
The dinner was held in honor of the retiring teacher.
It is an honor to meet you.
She received the highest honor the city can give.
noununcountable
A strong sense of what is right, together with the good reputation that comes from acting by it.
Grammar: Uncountable: he acted with honor.
Patterns
- a sense of honor
- honor among thieves
He kept his promise out of a sense of honor.
The soldier fought with courage and honor.
They defended the family's honor.
verbtransitive
To show great respect for someone, especially in public.
Grammar: Takes an object: honor a hero.
Patterns
- honor someone for something
- honor someone with something
The city honored the firefighters with a parade.
She was honored for her years of service.
verbtransitive
To keep a promise, agreement or rule, or accept something as valid.
Grammar: Takes an object: honor a contract.
Patterns
- honor a promise/agreement/card
The store will honor the coupon until Friday.
He honored his word and came back.
Word forms
| plural | honors |
|---|---|
| third person singular | honors |
| past tense | honored |
| past participle | honored |
| -ing form | honoring |
Common combinations
- in honor of
- We planted a tree in honor of her.
- great honor
- It is a great honor to be here.
- honor a commitment
- The company honored its commitment.
- guest of honor
- The guest of honor arrived late.
- code of honor
- The team had a strict code of honor.
Synonyms and how they differ
- respect
- More general and can be personal; honor often involves a public sign.
- integrity
- Stresses being honest and principled, not recognition from others.
- privilege
- Stresses a special opportunity rather than admiration.
- fulfill
- For promises, stresses completing it rather than showing respect.
Opposites
Word family
Commonly confused: honor or honour?
honor vs honour
Honour is the British spelling of the same word.
Practice
The airline refused to ___ the ticket because it had expired.
Choose one answer.
To honor a ticket means to accept it as valid. Praise and admire only express approval.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “honor”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.