honourable

honourable — adjective

1. behaving in a way that is morally right and truthful, so that other people admir

1.adjectiveB2
Definition

behaving in a way that is morally right and truthful, so that other people admire and trust you

Example

Xiu has always been an honourable person who keeps her word.

collocation: honourable person

It was very honourable of Tamar to admit that she had made a mistake.

structure: it is honourable of someone to do something

Common collocations
  • honourable person
  • honourable behaviour
  • honourable mention
  • honourable intentions
  • honourable discharge
  • honourable calling
  • honourable peace
Synonyms
  • upright

    strongly suggests strict moral correctness; slightly more formal

  • principled

    emphasises having a clear set of moral rules that guide behaviour

  • ethical

    focuses on professional or formal standards of right conduct

  • respectable

    describes someone respected by society, but does not necessarily imply deep moral integrity

Antonyms
  • dishonourable

    the direct opposite; behaving without moral integrity

  • disgraceful

    describes behaviour that brings shame; stronger in emotional tone

Grammar Patterns

honourable + noun

it is honourable of someone to do something

someone is honourable

Usage Note

This word carries a stronger moral tone than 'honest' and is typically used to describe a person's consistent character rather than a single act. It is more common in British English than in American English, where the spelling 'honorable' is used.

Common Mistakes

It was honourable from him to help the old lady.
It was honourable of him to help the old lady.
use 'of', not 'from', when describing someone's action as honourable.

2. a formal word used alongside a person's name to indicate a senior government pos

2.adjectiveC1
Definition

a formal word used alongside a person's name to indicate a senior government position, a high judicial office, or membership of the British nobility

Example

The Honourable Indra Patel was appointed as a High Court judge last year.

title: the Honourable + name + role

Letters addressed to the Honourable Christopher Wong should be marked 'Private and Confidential'.

formal title for government officials

Common collocations
  • the Honourable
  • Right Honourable
  • Honourable Member

Grammar Patterns

the Honourable + [name] + [role]

the Right Honourable + [name] (for very senior officials)

Usage Note

This title is not a description of character — it is a formal courtesy title linked to a person's office or birth. In the UK, it can be abbreviated to 'the Hon.' in writing. Very senior officials, such as cabinet ministers and members of the Privy Council, use the title 'the Right Honourable'.

Common Mistakes

Please welcome the honourable Mr. Chen, our guest speaker.
Please welcome the Honourable Mr. Chen, our guest speaker.
when used as a formal title, 'Honourable' must be capitalised. For general moral praise, use lowercase: 'He is a very honourable man.'

Word family

  • honour
    nounB1
  • honourably
    adverbB2
  • dishonourable
    adjectiveC1
  • dishonourably
    adverbC1
  • honour
    verbB2
  • honorary
    adjectiveC1

Synonym discussion

Sense: adjective/1

All four words describe morally good behaviour, but they differ in emphasis. 'Honourable' centres on a person's public reputation for truthfulness and fairness — an honourable person keeps their word and earns the trust of others. 'Upright' is more rigid and formal, suggesting strict adherence to moral rules in all situations. 'Principled' highlights having a conscious set of personal or professional values that guide decisions, even when it is difficult. 'Ethical' is the most common in professional and institutional contexts, referring to behaviour that meets formal standards of right and wrong. 'Respectable' is broader and weaker — a respectable person may simply conform to social expectations without deep moral conviction. For example: 'He was an honourable man who would never break a promise' (trust and reputation); 'She took the principled stand of refusing the bribe' (values-based decision); 'The company follows ethical business practices' (formal standards).

upright ↗principledethical ↗respectable ↗

Common collocations

Adverbs

  • deeply honourable
  • truly honourable
  • perfectly honourable

Etymology

LatinFrenchEnglish

The word comes from Old French 'honorable', which itself comes from Latin 'honorabilis' meaning 'worthy of honour'. The Latin root 'honor' originally meant 'esteem, reputation, public office'. Over time, the word shifted from describing something that receives honour to describing a person who deserves honour through their moral character. The British spelling '-ourable' preserves the French influence.