What does "honor" mean?
Recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration (of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful).
Honor
/ˈɒn.ə/ intj, name, noun, verb
intj, name, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: Recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration (of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful).
- Grammar: honor is listed as intj, name, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: accolade, award, abide by, abide by.
- Useful contrasts: abased, blemished, dirty.
- Usage evidence: In 776 B.C., the first Olympic Games were held at the foot of Mount Olympus to honor the Greeks' chief god, Zeus.
How to use "honor"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "honor" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "honor" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "honor" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "honor" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "honor" is acting as intj, name, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "accolade" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "honor", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Recognition of importance or value; respect; veneration (of someone, usually for being morally upright or successful). US, uncountable
"The crowds gave the returning general much honor and praise."
- 2 a woman's virtue or chastity wordnet
- 3 The state of being morally upright, honest, noble, virtuous, and magnanimous; excellence of character; the perception of such a state; favourable reputation; dignity. US, uncountable
"He was a most perfect knight, for he had great honor and chivalry."
- 4 the quality of being honorable and having a good name wordnet
- 5 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. US, countable
"Honors are normally awarded twice a year: on The Queen's Birthday in June and at the New Year."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 a tangible symbol signifying approval or distinction wordnet
- 7 A privilege (which honors the person experiencing it). US, countable, uncountable
"I had the honour of dining with the ambassador."
- 8 the state of being honored wordnet
- 9 The privilege of going first. US, countable, in-plural, uncountable
"I'll let you have the honours, Bob—go ahead."
- 10 The privilege of going first.; The right to play one's ball before one's opponent. US, countable, in-plural, uncountable
- 11 A cause of respect and fame; a glory; an excellency; an ornament. US, countable, uncountable
"He is an honour to his nation."
- 12 A seigniory or lordship held of the king, on which other lordships and manors depended. US, countable, uncountable
"The lorde of the honour or manour"
- 13 The center point of the upper half of an armorial escutcheon (compare honour point). US, countable
- 14 In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit; in some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack. US, countable
- 15 In bridge, an ace, king, queen, jack, or ten especially of the trump suit; in some other games, an ace, king, queen or jack.; a dragon or wind tile. US, countable
- 16 (Courses for) an honours degree: a university qualification of the highest rank. US, countable, in-plural, uncountable
"At university I took honours in modern history."
Verb
- 1 To think of highly, to respect highly; to show respect for; to recognise the importance or spiritual value of. US, transitive
"The freedom fighters will be forever remembered and honored by the people."
- 2 accept as pay wordnet
- 3 To conform to, abide by, act in accordance with (an agreement, treaty, promise, request, or the like). US, transitive
"I trusted you, but you have not honored your promise."
- 4 show respect towards wordnet
- 5 To confer (bestow) an honour or privilege upon (someone). US, transitive
"Ten members of the profession were honored at the ceremony."
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 bestow honor or rewards upon wordnet
- 7 To make payment in respect of (a cheque, banker's draft, etc.). US, transitive
"I'm sorry Sir, but the bank did not honour your cheque."
Intj
- 1 On one's honor; truthfully. US, archaic
"“Not a ha’porth. Different gangs and different ships. He was tried again for prison breaking, and got made a Lifer.” “And was that—Honour!—the only time you worked out, in this part of the country?” “The only time.”"
Proper Noun
- 1 A female given name from English.
"They had named the baby Honor because Eugenie had been moved by Honoré de Balzac's Le Père Goriot in her French class."
- 2 Former name of Honnavar (“Indian town”).
- 3 A surname.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"In 776 B.C., the first Olympic Games were held at the foot of Mount Olympus to honor the Greeks' chief god, Zeus."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "honor"?
Common synonyms include: accolade, award, abide by, abide by, academic achievements, accept.
How do you use "honor" in a sentence?
In 776 B.C., the first Olympic Games were held at the foot of Mount Olympus to honor the Greeks' chief god, Zeus.
How do you pronounce "honor"?
Pronounced /ˈɒn.ə/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
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”), from Old Norse menskr (“honor”). The verb is from Middle English honouren, honuren (“to honor”).
Etymology 2
Shortened from Honoria and Honora; later also interpreted as a virtue name by Puritans.