honor
Forms
- Plural
- honors
- present (v1)
- honor
- past (v2)
- honored
- past participle (v3)
- honored
- present participle
- honoring
- 3rd person singular
- honors
Definitions
1.Recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration (of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful).
- A prophet is not without honour, save in his own country.
- The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise.
- And when the long-illumined cities flame, / Their ever-loyal iron leader's fame, / With honour, honour, honour, honour to him, / Eternal honour to his name.
2.The state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; excellence of character; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity.
- He was a most perfect knight, for he had great honor and chivalry.
3.A token of praise or respect; something that represents praiseworthiness or respect, such as a prize or award given by the state to a citizen.
- He wore an honor on his breast.
- Audie Murphy received many honors, such as the Distinguished Service Cross.
- Honors are normally awarded twice a year: on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year.
4.A privilege (which honors the person experiencing it).
- I had the honour of dining with the ambassador.
1.To think of highly, to respect highly; to show respect for; to recognise the importance or spiritual value of.
- The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honored by the people.
2.To conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request, or the like).
- I trusted you, but you have not honored your promise.
- Our wishes were honored by changing the date of the wedding.
- Some application software does not honor the theme colors chosen in the operating system settings.
3.To confer (bestow) an honour or privilege upon (someone).
- Ten members of the profession were honored at the ceremony.
- The prince honored me with an invitation to his birthday banquet.
4.To make payment in respect of (a cheque, banker's draft, etc.).
- I'm sorry Sir, but the bank did not honour your cheque.
Frequency
Overall
Common· #1822
By learning goal
- Everyday conversation
- Common
- General reading & writing
- Common
- Academic
- Rare
- Literature
- Rare
Related words
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle English honour, honor, honur, from Anglo-Norman honour, honur, from Old French honor, from Latin honor.
Displaced Middle English menske (“honor, dignity among men”) (though survived in descendant mense (“property, civility, etc.”)), from Old Norse menskr (“honor”).