honorable

UK: /ˈɒnərəb^əl/ US: /ˈɑnərəbəl/ ,(on′ər ə bəl)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

hon•or•a•ble /ˈɑnərəbəl/   adj. 

1. having or showing principles of honor;
   upright:
   an honorable and forthright leader.
2. indicating the recipient's good record of conduct:
   an honorable discharge from the army.
3. meriting high respect:
   honorable mention in the competition.
4. [Honorable* often: the + ~ + name] a title of respect used before the names of certain ranking government officials or as a title of courtesy for certain British nobility:
   The Honorable Jane Seymour.
   Abbr.: Hon.

hon•or•a•bly, adv. 

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

hon•or•a•ble  (on′ər ə bəl), adj. 

1. in accordance with or characterized by principles of honor;
   upright:
   They were all honorable men.
2. of high rank, dignity, or distinction;
   noble, illustrious, or distinguished.
3. worthy of honor and high respect;
   estimable;
   creditable.
4. bringing honor or credit;
   consistent with honor.
5. (cap.)
   • Government (used as a title of respect for certain ranking government officials.)
   • British Terms (used as a title of courtesy for children of peers ranking below a marquis.) Abbr.: Hon.

• Latin honōrābilis. See honor, -able
• Anglo-French (Middle French honorable)
• Middle English hono(u)rable 1300–50

hon′or•a•ble•ness, n. 
hon′or•a•bly, adv. 
Synonyms

• 1. honest, noble, just.

Antonyms

• 1. ignoble.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

honourable, honorable / ˈɒnərəb^əl ˈɒnrəb^əl/ adjective

1. possessing or characterized by high principles
2. worthy of or entitled to honour or esteem
3. consistent with or bestowing honour

ˈhonourably, ˈhonorably adverb