WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
hon•or•a•ble /ˈɑnərəbəl/USA pronunciation
adj.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026- having or showing principles of honor;
upright:an honorable and forthright leader. - indicating the recipient's good record of conduct:an honorable discharge from the army.
- meriting high respect:honorable mention in the competition.
- [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•ble
(on′ər ə bəl),USA pronunciation adj.
hon′or•a•ble•ness, n.
hon′or•a•bly, adv.
- in accordance with or characterized by principles of honor;
upright:They were all honorable men. - of high rank, dignity, or distinction;
noble, illustrious, or distinguished. - worthy of honor and high respect;
estimable;
creditable. - bringing honor or credit;
consistent with honor. - (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•bly, adv.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged honest, noble, just.
- 1.See corresponding entry in Unabridged ignoble.
'honorably' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):
emerita
- emeritus
- game
- general discharge
- hon
- honorable discharge
- national cemetery
- straight