honorary

honorary — adjective

1. Bestowed as a mark of respect without requiring the usual qualifications or proc

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

Bestowed as a mark of respect without requiring the usual qualifications or procedures — for instance, a university presenting a degree to an author who did not attend the institution, or a municipality making an athlete an honorary citizen.

Example

The university gave Emily an honorary degree for her work in literature.

honorary degree — honour without study

Vivek was named an honorary citizen of the city after his years of public service.

honorary citizen — title given as honour

Common collocations
  • honorary degree
  • honorary doctorate
  • honorary title
  • honorary member
  • honorary citizen
  • honorary president
  • honorary award
Synonyms
  • titular

    Emphasises holding a title without the full responsibilities — often used for formal roles in organisations ('titular head of state').

  • ceremonial

    Focuses on the symbolic rather than practical aspect; can apply to actions and events, not just titles ('ceremonial opening').

  • symbolic

    Broader in meaning — can describe any gesture or act meant to represent something, not limited to honours.

Antonyms
  • earned

    Gained through fulfilling the normal requirements ('earned degree').

  • substantive

    Having real duties and power ('substantive role').

Grammar Patterns

honorary + noun (degree, title, award, member, citizen)

Usage Note

Only used before a noun. The noun it modifies is typically something that would normally require qualifications, membership criteria, or formal election (degree, title, membership, citizenship).

Common Mistakes

She received an honor degree from the college.
She received an honorary degree from the college.
'Honor' is a noun, not an adjective; the correct adjective form is 'honorary'.
He is an honorary doctor who treats patients at the clinic.
He received an honorary doctorate for his contributions to medicine.
'Honorary doctor' means a person given the title as an honour, not a medical professional working without pay.

2. Describing a role or position within an organization that a person holds without

2.adjectiveB2
Definition

Describing a role or position within an organization that a person holds without receiving any payment — done as a contribution of time and skill rather than for a salary.

Example

Hoa works as the honorary treasurer for the local charity, donating her time each week.

honorary treasurer — unpaid role in an organisation

The committee appointed Shirin as honorary secretary at the annual general meeting.

Common collocations
  • honorary position
  • honorary role
  • honorary secretary
  • honorary treasurer
  • honorary chair
  • honorary president
  • honorary advisor
Synonyms
  • unpaid

    More direct and less formal; can describe any work done without payment, not just titled roles.

  • voluntary

    Emphasises the free choice to serve; broader in application than 'honorary'.

  • unsalaried

    Formal term used in business and legal contexts; interchangeable with 'unpaid' but more technical.

Antonyms
  • paid

    Receiving a salary or wage for the position.

  • remunerated

    Formal term for receiving financial compensation.

Grammar Patterns

honorary + noun (position, role, secretary, treasurer, chair)

Usage Note

Common in official titles of organisations such as clubs, charities, and societies (honorary secretary, honorary treasurer, honorary chair). Often interchangeable with 'voluntary', but 'honorary' carries a more formal tone and is the standard term in institutional bylaws.

Common Mistakes

She is an honorary worker at the hospital.
She is a volunteer at the hospital.' or 'She holds an honorary position at the hospital.
'Honorary' describes a titled position, not a general volunteer role.

Word family

  • honor
    nounB1
  • honor
    verbB2
  • honorable
    adjectiveB2
  • honorably
    adverbC1
  • honorific
    adjectiveC1
  • dishonor
    nounB2
  • dishonorable
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe something that has a recognised title or form without the full substance usually associated with it. 'Honorary' specifically means that a title, award, or position is given as a mark of respect without requiring the normal qualifications or duties. 'Titular' emphasises holding a title without exercising the corresponding power ('the titular head of state has no real authority'). 'Ceremonial' focuses on the symbolic, ritualistic side of a role or act, often referring to public events and formalities ('a ceremonial sword is used only in parades'). 'Symbolic' is the broadest — it can describe any gesture, object, or action that represents something larger than itself ('a symbolic handshake between rivals'). For learners: if you receive an 'honorary degree', you did not study for it; a 'titular bishop' has the title but no diocese; a 'ceremonial welcome' involves formal greetings; a 'symbolic gift' has meaning beyond its material value.

honorary ↗titularceremonial ↗symbolic ↗

Common collocations

Nouns

Adverbs

  • purely honorary
  • strictly honorary
  • largely honorary
  • merely honorary

Phrases

  • honorary degree
  • honorary member
  • honorary president
  • honorary secretary
  • honorary treasurer
  • honorary position
  • honorary title

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word 'honorary' comes from the Latin adjective 'honorarius', meaning 'of honour' or 'done as a mark of honour', which in turn was formed from 'honor' (honour, esteem, public recognition). It entered English in the early 1600s, first used to describe actions or things done as a sign of respect. The sense of a title given without the normal requirements developed in the 1700s, and the specific meaning of an unpaid position emerged in the 1800s as clubs, charities, and academic societies adopted the term for their non-salaried officers.