honor
/ˈɒnə(r)/
(US English)
(also honour British English)
Use an, not a, before honor.
1 uncountable great respect for somebody
the guest of honor (= the most important one)
the seat/place of honor (= given to the most important guest)
They stood in silence as a mark of honor to her.
do honor to somebody/something
This biography does great honor to the poet's achievements.
2 singular something that you are very pleased or proud to do because people are showing you great respect
SYNONYM privilege
It was a great honor to be invited here today.
It was my honor and privilege to be Helen's friend.
It is a great honor to represent my country at the Olympics.
TOPICS Feelings B2
3 uncountable the quality of knowing and doing what is morally right
a man of honor
a sense of honor
Proving his innocence has become a matter of honor.
TOPICS Personal qualities B2
4 uncountable a good reputation; respect from other people
upholding the honor of your country
The family honor is at stake.
​5 singular honor to something/somebody a person or thing that causes others to respect and admire something/somebody
She is an honor to the profession.
6 ​countable an award, official title, etc. given to somebody as a reward for something that they have done
to win the highest honor
She received nearly every honor bestowed upon a poet.
He was buried with full military honors (= with a special military service as a sign of respect).
He wears his scars like badges of honor (= rewards that you can see).
7 ​plural (often used as an adjective) a university course that is of a higher level than a basic course (in the US also used to describe a class in school that is at a higher level than other classes)
an honors degree/course
a First Class Honors degree
(North American English) I took an honors class in English.
8 ​honors, honours plural (abbreviation Hons) if you pass an exam or graduate from a university or school with honors, you receive a special grade for having achieved a very high standard
TOPICS Education C2
9 ​His/Her/Your Honor countable a title of respect used when talking to or about a judge or a US mayor
No more questions, Your Honor.
​10 countable, usually plural the cards that have the highest value
Idioms
do somebody an honor | do somebody the honor (of doing something)
​(formal) to do something to make somebody feel very proud and pleased
Would you do me the honor of dining with me?
do the honors
​to perform a social duty or ceremony, such as pouring drinks, making a speech, etc.
Would you do the honors and draw the winning ticket?
have the honor of (doing) something
​(formal) to be given the opportunity to do something that makes you feel proud and happy
May I have the honor of the next dance?
She had the honor of being the first living artist to have her work exhibited in the Louvre.
I had the rare honor of being allowed into the artist's studio.
Max was given the dubious honor (= it may not really have made him feel proud and happy) of organizing the children's party.
(there is) honor among thieves
​(saying) used to say that even criminals have standards of behaviour that they respect
(feel) honor-bound to do something
​(formal) to feel that you must do something because of your sense of moral duty
He felt honor-bound to help her.
COMPARE duty-bound
TOPICS Permission and obligationC2
the honors are even
​no particular person, team, etc. is doing better than the others in a competition, an argument, etc.
in honor of somebody/something | in somebody’s/something’s honor
​in order to show great respect for somebody/something
a ceremony in honor of those killed in the explosion
A banquet was held in her honor.
on your honor
(old-fashioned)
​used to promise very seriously that you will do something or that something is true
I swear on my honor that I knew nothing about this.
​to be trusted to do something
You're on your honor not to go into my room.
a point of honor
​a thing that somebody considers to be very important for their honour or reputation