honorary degree
The university president presents an honorary degree to the distinguished scientist.
Noun: An academic degree awarded to an individual as an honor, without the recipient having completed the usual course of study or met the standard academic requirements. It is conferred to recognize distinguished achievements or contributions in a particular field.
An honorary degree is a title granted by a university or college. It is used to formally acknowledge a person's lifetime accomplishments, service to humanity, or significant impact on society or culture. The recipient is often addressed with the associated title (e.g., "Doctor") in formal contexts, though this is a courtesy.
- The university will confer an honorary degree upon the Nobel Peace Prize laureate during this year's commencement ceremony.
- She received an honorary degree in law for her lifelong advocacy for human rights.
- It is a great honorary degree to be recognized by one's alma mater in this way.
- "To be awarded/bestowed/conferred an honorary degree": These verbs are commonly used to describe the act of granting the degree.
- The renowned author was conferred an honorary degree by the prestigious college.
- "Honorary doctorate": A specific and common type of honorary degree, often a Doctor of Letters (Litt.D.), Doctor of Science (Sc.D.), or Doctor of Humane Letters (L.H.D.).
- His honorary doctorate in music recognized his influence on contemporary composition.
- Honorary doctorate (n): The most typical form of an honorary degree.
- Degree honoris causa (n): The Latin term, meaning "for the sake of honor," often used in formal academic contexts.
- Laureate (n): A person who is honored with an award for outstanding creative or intellectual achievement; often a recipient of honors.
- Honorary title: A broader term for any title given as an honor.
- Courtesy degree: A less formal synonym emphasizing the non-academic nature of the award.
While primarily an honorific, the concept does not imply any lesser significance. It represents the institution's highest form of recognition. It is distinct from earned or substantive degrees. The plural form is "honorary degrees."
The university president presents an honorary degree to the distinguished scientist.
- a degree conferred to honor the recipient