Honour - Oxford Learner's Dictionaries

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Definition of honour noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

honour noun   /ˈɒnə(r)/  /ˈɑːnər/(US English honor) Use an, not a, before honour.Idioms jump to other results

respect

1.   [uncountable] great respect for somebody
   • the guest of honour (= the most important one)
   • the seat/place of honour (= given to the most important guest)
   • They stood in silence as a mark of honour to her.
   • do honour to somebody/something This biography does great honour to the poet's achievements.
   see also maid of honour, matron of honourExtra Examples
   • The president was guest of honour at the society's banquet.
   • The prime minister sought an agreement that would bring peace with honour.
   Oxford Collocations Dictionarypreposition
   • in somebody’s honour
   phrases
   • a guard of honour
   • (the) guest of honour
   • a lap of honour
   • …
   See full entry

   Questions about grammar and vocabulary?

   Find the answers with Practical English Usage online, your indispensable guide to problems in English.

privilege

2.   [singular] something that you are very pleased or proud to do because people are showing you great respect synonym privilege
   • honour to do something It was a great honour to be invited here today.
   • It is a great honour to represent my country at the Olympics.
   • It was my honour and privilege to be Helen's friend.
   • honour of doing something The city has the dubious honour (= something that does not make you pleased or proud) of being the road rage capital of Europe.
   • She shared the honour of being the season's top scorer with Khadija Shaw.
   Topics Feelingsb2Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
   • great
   • rare
   • special
   • …
   verb + honour/​honor
   • have
   • do somebody
   • give somebody
   • …
   See full entry

moral behaviour

3.   [uncountable] the quality of knowing and doing what is morally right
   • a man of honour
   • Proving his innocence has become a matter of honour.
   Extra Examples
   • He was a man of honour who always spoke the truth.
   • It is a matter of honour to keep our standards as high as possible.
   • She showed a scrupulous sense of honour in discharging her debts.
   • a man without honour
   Topics Personal qualitiesb2Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
   • family
   • national
   • personal
   • …
   verb + honour/​honor
   • defend
   • fight for
   • preserve
   • …
   honour/​honor + verb
   • be at stake
   honour/​honor + noun
   • code
   • system
   preposition
   • on your honour
   • with honour
   • without honour
   • …
   phrases
   • a badge of honour
   • a code of honour
   • a man of honour
   • …
   See full entry

reputation

4.   [uncountable] a good reputation; respect from other people
   • upholding the honour of your country
   • The family honour is at stake.
   compare dishonourExtra Examples
   • He was now satisfied that the family honour had been restored.
   • He would always fight to defend the family honour.
   • National honour is at stake in this match between France and England.
   • She felt she had to defend the honour of her profession.
   • In the return match the home team won 3–0 and honour was satisfied.
   • She brought honour to her country as an Olympic medal-winner.
   Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
   • family
   • national
   • personal
   • …
   verb + honour/​honor
   • defend
   • fight for
   • preserve
   • …
   honour/​honor + verb
   • be at stake
   honour/​honor + noun
   • code
   • system
   preposition
   • on your honour
   • with honour
   • without honour
   • …
   phrases
   • a badge of honour
   • a code of honour
   • a man of honour
   • …
   See full entry
5. [singular] honour to something/somebody a person or thing that causes others to respect and admire something/somebody
   • She is an honour to the profession.

award

6.   [countable] an award, official title, etc. given to somebody as a reward for something that they have done
   • the New Year’s Honours list (= in Britain, a list of awards and titles given on January 1 each year)
   • to receive/win the highest honour
   • to bestow an honour on somebody
   • She received nearly every honour bestowed upon a poet.
   • He received numerous honours, including the OBE in 1961.
   • He was buried with full military honours (= with a special military service as a sign of respect).
   • He wears his scars like badges of honour (= rewards that you can see).
   Extra Examples
   • ‘Poor Things’ took top honours at the Venice Film Festival.
   • No actor deserves the honour more than Caine.
   • television's highest honour
   • Eastlake Studio received top honours in the interior design category.
   • He was made a life peer in the New Year's honours list.
   • It was the British who scooped the honours at last night's Oscars.
   • The Order of Merit is the highest civilian honour that can be conferred on someone.
   • She has confirmed that she will accept the honour of a peerage.
   see also roll of honourCulture honourshonoursTwice a year several hundred British people who have achieved great success and earned people's respect receive a variety of honours. A few are made life peers, some are made knights, and many others are given less important awards. The honours lists are published on New Year's Day (the New Year Honours) and in June on the present Queen's official birthday (the Birthday Honours). At the end of each parliament before a general election, the Prime Minister recommends a list of politicians for the Dissolution Honours.For a long time senior members of the armed forces and the Civil Service were almost certain to receive honours, but now there are fewer of these awards. Now more are given to members of the public suggested by colleagues and friends, or by people who admire their achievements. The Ceremonial Secretariat receives suggestions and draws up a final list, which is approved by the prime minister. As well as the names of politicians and business people, it contains charity workers, well-known sports and television personalities, actors, musicians, etc., and many ordinary people. Honours are awarded by the king or queen, or another member of the Royal Family, in a ceremony at Buckingham Palace.Many of the honours are associated with one of several orders of chivalry . Some of the orders have different levels, for example, 'knight', 'commander', 'officer' and 'member'. Many people are given awards in the Order of the British Empire. Famous people may be given a CBE (commander rank) or OBE (officer rank); people recommended by members of the public are usually given an MBE (member rank). Some people think the title Order of the British Empire should be changed to get rid of the reference to the Empire that is no longer appropriate, but in 2004 it was decided that the name should not be changed. Most honours allow a person to put the relevant letters after their name. In addition to these honours there are many medals and decorations for people who have shown great courage, both civilians and members of the police and the armed forces.In the US there is no system of honours like that in Britain, though a number of medals are awarded for great achievement or for being brave. These include the Presidential Medal of Freedom and the Congressional Gold Medal.Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
   • full honours
   • high
   • major
   • …
   verb + honour/​honor
   • award (somebody)
   • bestow
   • confer
   • …
   honour/​honor + noun
   • list
   • system
   phrases
   • with full military honours
   See full entry

at university/school

7. honours, honors [plural] (abbreviation Hons) (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 honours degree/course
   • a First Class Honours degree
   • (North American English) I took an honors class in English.
   Extra Examples
   • joint honours in mathematics and statistics
   • He's in the third year of his honours course.
   Topics Educationc2Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
   • combined
   • joint
   • first-class
   • …
   honours/​honors + noun
   • class
   • course
   • degree
   • …
   preposition
   • honour in
   • with honour
   See full entry
8. honours, honors [plural] if you pass an exam or graduate from a university or school with honours, you receive a special grade for having achieved a very high standard
   • He passed with second-class honours.
   Topics Educationc2Oxford Collocations Dictionaryadjective
   • combined
   • joint
   • first-class
   • …
   honours/​honors + noun
   • class
   • course
   • degree
   • …
   preposition
   • honour in
   • with honour
   See full entry

judge/mayor

9. His/Her/Your Honour [countable] a title of respect used when talking to or about a judge or a US mayor
   • No more questions, Your Honour.
   Oxford Collocations Dictionarypreposition
   • in somebody’s honour
   phrases
   • a guard of honour
   • (the) guest of honour
   • a lap of honour
   • …
   See full entry

in card games

10. [countable, usually plural] the cards that have the highest valueMore Like This Silent lettersSilent letters
    • gnarled
    • gnash
    • gnat
    • gnaw
    • gnome
    • haute cuisine
    • heir
    • herb
    • honour
    • hors d’oeuvre
    • hour
    • knack
    • knee
    • kneel
    • knife
    • knight
    • knit
    • knob
    • knock
    • knot
    • know
    • knuckle
    • psalm
    • psephology
    • psychic
    • ptarmigan
    • pterodactyl
    • psychology
    • wrangle
    • wrap
    • wreath
    • wreck
    • wrench
    • wrestle
    • wriggle
    • wring
    • write
    • wrong
    • bomb
    • climb
    • crumb
    • doubt
    • lamb
    • limb
    • ascent
    • fascinate
    • muscle
    • scene
    • scissors
    • height
    • right
    • sleigh
    • weight
    • align
    • campaign
    • design
    • foreign
    • malign
    • reign
    • unfeigned
    • balmy
    • calm
    • calf
    • half
    • yolk
    • autumn
    • column
    • condemn
    • damn
    • hymn
    • solemn
    • bristle
    • fasten
    • listen
    • mortgage
    • soften
    • thistle
    • wrestle
    • biscuit
    • build
    • circuit
    • disguise
    • guilty
    • league
    • rogue
    • vague
    • yacht
    • answer
    • sword
    • two
Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French onor (noun), onorer (verb), from Latin honos, honor.

Idioms do somebody an honour | do somebody the honour (of doing something)

1. (formal) to do something to make somebody feel very proud and pleased
   • Would you do me the honour of dining with me?

Synonyms pleasurepleasuredelight ▪ joy ▪ privilege ▪ treat ▪ honourThese are all words for things that make you happy or that you enjoy.pleasure a thing that makes you happy or satisfied:

• the pleasures and pains of everyday life
• It’s been a pleasure meeting you.

delight a thing or person that brings you great pleasure:

• the delights of living in the country

joy a thing or person that brings you great pleasure or happiness:

• the joys and sorrows of childhood

pleasure, delight or joy?A delight or joy is greater than a pleasure; a person, especially a child, can be a delight or joy, but not a pleasure; joys are often contrasted with sorrows, but delights are not.privilege (rather formal) something that you are proud and lucky to have the opportunity to do:

• It was a great privilege to hear her sing.

treat (informal) a thing that somebody enjoyed or is likely to enjoy very much:

• You’ve never been to this area before? Then you’re in for a real treat.

honour (formal) something that you are very pleased or proud to do because people are showing you great respect:

• It was a great honour to be invited here today.

Patterns

• the pleasures/​delights/​joys of something
• It’s a great pleasure/​joy to me that…
• It’s a pleasure/​delight/​joy/​privilege/​treat/​honour to do something
• It’s a pleasure/​delight/​joy to see/​find…
• a pleasure/​delight/​joy to behold/​watch
• a real pleasure/​delight/​joy/​privilege/​treat
• a great pleasure/​joy/​privilege/​honour
• a rare joy/​privilege/​treat/​honour

do the honours

1. to perform a social duty or ceremony, such as pouring drinks, making a speech, etc.
   • Would you do the honours and draw the winning ticket?

have the honour of something/of doing something

1. (formal) to be given the opportunity to do something that makes you feel proud and happy
   • May I have the honour of the next dance?
   • It was Tevez who had the honour of scoring the first goal.
   • She had the honour of being the first living artist to have her work exhibited in the Louvre.
   • I had the rare honour of being allowed into the artist's studio.
   • Max was given the dubious honour (= it may not really have made him feel proud and happy) of organizing the children's party.

(there is) honour among thieves

1. (saying) used to say that even criminals have standards of behaviour that they respect

(feel) honour-bound to do something

1. (formal) to feel that you must do something because of your sense of moral duty
   • She felt honour-bound to attend as she had promised to.
   • He felt honour bound to help her.
   compare duty-boundTopics Permission and obligationc2

the honours are even

1. no particular person, team, etc. is doing better than the others in a competition, an argument, etc.

in honour of somebody/something | in somebody’s/something’s honour

1. in order to show great respect for somebody/something
   • a ceremony in honour of those killed in the explosion
   • A banquet was held in her honour.
   Extra Examples
   • The arch was built in honour of the Emperor.
   • They organized a party in his honour.

on your honour (old-fashioned)

1. used to promise very seriously that you will do something or that something is true
   • I swear on my honour that I knew nothing about this.
2. to be trusted to do something
   • You're on your honour not to go into my room.

a point of honour

1. a thing that somebody considers to be very important for their honour or reputation

See honour in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic EnglishCheck pronunciation: honour

Other results

All matches

• honour verb
• honour
• honour code noun
• honour killing noun
• maid of honour noun
• roll of honour noun
• matron of honour noun
• Companion of Honour noun
• honour system
• honour killings
• roll of honour
• maids of honour
• matrons of honour
• Companions of Honour
• (feel) honour-bound to do something

See more Idioms

• (feel) honour-bound to do something

Nearby words

• honor society noun
• honor system noun
• honour noun
• honour verb
• honourable adjective

urban adjective From the Word list Oxford 3000 B2 Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day