honorary

/'ɔnərəri/

Thân thiện

The university awarded her an honorary degree for her humanitarian work.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Conferred as an honor, without the usual requirements, duties, or compensation: Describes a title, position, or award given to recognize merit, service, or distinction, but which does not carry the typical responsibilities, work, or payment associated with it.
   • Held or given as a mark of honor or distinction: Used for memberships or titles that are bestowed honorifically.

Usage

The word "honorary" is used attributively before a noun to describe the nature of that noun. It indicates that the status is symbolic or honorific. - It modifies nouns like title, degree, member, president, citizen, doctor. - It is not used predictively (e.g., "The degree is honorary" is correct, but "The president is honorary" is less common; typically, "He is the honorary president" is preferred).

Examples

• She was awarded an honorary doctorate for her contributions to literature.
• He serves as the honorary chairman of the charity, offering guidance but not day-to-day management.
• The university conferred an honorary degree upon the renowned scientist.
• She is an honorary member of the club in recognition of her lifelong support.

Advanced Usage

• "In an honorary capacity": Serving in a role that is purely honorific.
  • He attended the ceremony in an honorary capacity.
• The concept often implies that while the title is real and respected, the practical authority or workload is absent or minimal.

Variants and Related Words

• Honorarily (adverb): In an honorary manner.
  • The position was honorarily bestowed.
• Honor (noun/verb): The root word meaning respect, prestige, or to confer respect.
• Honorific (adjective/noun): A term or title that conveys respect, often similar in use to "honorary" but can be a broader category.

Synonyms

• Ceremonial: Involving ceremony; used for a role with symbolic rather than functional duties.
• Titular: Holding or constituting a purely nominal title or name without the corresponding duties, office, or power.
• Nominal: Existing in name only; very similar to "titular."

Antonyms

• Substantive: Having a separate and independent existence; (of a position) requiring real work and carrying full authority.
• Functional: Designed to be practical and useful, not just symbolic.
• Salaried: Receiving a regular payment for work performed.

Related Phrases and Usage Notes

• Honorary consul: A consul who performs consular services part-time and is not a career diplomat.
• Honorary citizen: A person upon whom citizenship has been conferred as a mark of honor, without the person necessarily having gone through the standard legal naturalization process.
• Note: An "honorary" award is genuine and prestigious; it is not a lesser award but one given under different criteria (e.g., for lifetime achievement rather than academic coursework).

Học thuật

Adjective

1. given as an honor without the normal duties
   • an honorary degree