honored

Meanings

1. 1adjectivecomparable

   Feeling proud and pleased because you have been given special respect or an invitation.

   Grammar: Usually follows a linking verb and takes to plus a verb: I am honored to be here.

   Patterns

   • honored to do something
   • honored by something
   • honored that something

   I am honored to accept this award on behalf of my team.

   She felt honored by the invitation to speak.

   We are honored that you chose our school.

2. 2adjectivebefore a nounformal

   Respected and admired by many people.

   Grammar: Comes before a noun: an honored guest.

   The mayor greeted the honored guests.

   He is an honored member of the community.

3. 3verbtransitive

   Past tense and past participle of honor: showed public respect for someone or kept a promise.

   Grammar: Takes an object: the city honored the nurse.

   Patterns

   • honored someone with something
   • honored a promise

   The school honored the retiring teacher with a ceremony.

   The bank honored the check even though it was late.

Word forms

Common combinations

deeply honored

I am deeply honored by your kind words.

honored guest

The ambassador was the honored guest.

honored to meet

I am honored to meet you.

time-honored

They followed a time-honored tradition.

Synonyms and how they differ

privileged

Privileged stresses the good fortune of having an opportunity, rather than the respect shown to you.

flattered

Flattered suggests pleasure at attention and can feel a little vain or modest.

esteemed

Esteemed describes someone respected by others, not how a person feels.

Opposites

Word family

honor noun

respect, or a special distinction

honorable adjective

deserving respect, or morally good

honorary adjective

given as a mark of respect

Commonly confused: honored or honorary?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “honored”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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