honourable

UK: 'honourable', 'Honourable': /ˈɒnərəbəl/, /ˈɒnrəbəl/

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

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

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 © 2025

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. the Honourable ⇒ (prenominal) a title of respect placed before a name: employed before the names of various officials in the English-speaking world, as a courtesy title in Britain for the children of viscounts and barons and the younger sons of earls, and in Parliament by one member speaking of another
   Abbreviation: Hon