honor
/ˈɒnə(r)/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːnər/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈä-nər/ (ame, mw)
honor — noun
1. a feeling of deep admiration for someone that comes from recognizing their quali
a feeling of deep admiration for someone that comes from recognizing their qualities, achievements, or position
Faisal's classmates showed him great honor by asking him to give the graduation speech.
collocation: show honor / an honor to someone
The ceremony was held in honor of the nurses who worked through the health crisis.
phrase: in honor of someone
Many people came to pay honor to the artist at her final exhibition.
The team played with honor and earned the respect of their opponents after the match.
- respect
a general feeling of admiration; less intense than honor
- admiration
focused on specific qualities rather than overall standing
- esteem
more formal; suggests carefully considered respect
- disrespect
lack of respect or regard
- contempt
strong feeling that someone is worthless
文法句型
honor + for + noun phrase
in honor of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Often used in the fixed phrase 'in honor of someone' to indicate that an event or ceremony is intended to show respect for a particular person.
常見錯誤
2. a strong commitment to acting honestly and fairly, guided by a clear sense of ri
a strong commitment to acting honestly and fairly, guided by a clear sense of right and wrong even when no one is watching
Amihan refused to lie about the mistake, saying it went against her sense of honor.
collocation: sense of honor
The old knight followed a strict code of honor that required him to protect the weak.
collocation: code of honor
Caio was a person of honor who always returned what he borrowed, even small tools.
For the Watanabe family, honor meant keeping every promise they made, no matter the cost.
文法句型
sense of honor
a matter of honor
code of honor
用法筆記
This sense is frequently found in fixed expressions such as 'a person of honor,' 'a code of honor,' or 'a matter of honor.' It does not depend on what others think — it describes a person's internal moral compass.
常見錯誤
3. the good opinion that other people have of a person or group, based on how they
the good opinion that other people have of a person or group, based on how they have behaved in the past
Élise felt that the false story in the newspaper had damaged her family's honor.
collocation: damage / defend / restore one's honor
The lawyer fought hard to defend the honor of her client against the accusations.
Sade worked hard for two years to restore her honor after a coworker spread false rumors.
The general's honor was questioned after the failed operation, and he resigned soon after.
- reputation
the general opinion others hold; less morally charged than honor
- standing
position in a community based on behavior and achievement
文法句型
defend one's honor
restore one's honor
damage one's honor
用法筆記
Closely related to sense 1 (GREAT RESPECT) but with a public-facing focus: honor as REPUTATION depends on what the community believes, while honor as RESPECT focuses on the feeling toward someone. This sense is common in legal or political contexts where a person's standing is being challenged.
4. a special opportunity or event that makes someone feel proud and pleased to be p
a special opportunity or event that makes someone feel proud and pleased to be part of it
Gabriel said it was a great honor to meet the Nobel Prize winner in person.
phrase: an honor to do something
Isabela had the honor of ringing the bell to open the new community library.
phrase: have the honor of [doing something]
It is a rare honor to be invited to speak at this international conference.
Hamza considered it an honor to serve as a volunteer at the local children's hospital.
文法句型
an honor to + infinitive
have the honor of + gerund
用法筆記
Often used in polite formulaic expressions when thanking someone or accepting an invitation. The phrase 'it's an honor' is commonly followed by an infinitive ('to meet', 'to join') or by 'of' plus a gerund ('of serving').
常見錯誤
5. a prize, medal, or official title given to someone to show that their work or ac
a prize, medal, or official title given to someone to show that their work or actions are excellent and valued
The actor received his country's highest civilian honor for his charity work.
collocation: highest / great honor (as award)
Nora was given a military honor for rescuing three people from the burning house.
The science fair had a special honor for the best project on renewable energy.
Tariq accepted the honor on behalf of his entire research team at the ceremony.
- award
more general term for a prize or reward
- medal
a flat piece of metal given as an honor
- distinction
formal recognition of excellence
文法句型
receive an honor
win an honor
highest honor
用法筆記
Unlike sense 1 (the feeling of respect), this sense refers to a physical or official symbol — a trophy, medal, certificate, or formal title. It can be awarded by a government, an institution, or an organization.
6. a formal word that people use when addressing a judge, a mayor, or another high
a formal word that people use when addressing a judge, a mayor, or another high official as a mark of respect
Yes, Your Honor, I will answer the question to the best of my knowledge.
phrase: Your Honor (direct address to a judge)
The letter began with the words To His Honor, the Mayor of the city.
phrase: His / Her Honor (formal reference)
The bailiff announced, All rise for the Honorable Judge Torres, as the court began.
Ada addressed the magistrate as Your Honor throughout the hearing.
- Your Worship
used in British and some Commonwealth courts; equivalent register
文法句型
Your Honor
His / Her Honor
用法筆記
Always capitalized when used as a title. 'Your Honor' is used in direct address (speaking to the official); 'His Honor' or 'Her Honor' is used when referring to the official in the third person. Primarily used in US courtrooms and city government contexts.
常見錯誤
7. a special level of achievement in a school or university course, showing that a
a special level of achievement in a school or university course, showing that a student has performed at an outstanding level in their studies
Anjali graduated with honors after achieving the highest grades in her class.
phrase: graduate with honors
The university offers an honors program for students seeking deeper study.
phrase: honors program
Élise was on the honor roll every semester of high school from grade nine onward.
Haruto completed an honors degree in chemistry and then started a PhD program.
- distinction
formal term for high academic achievement; used in British systems
- high honors
the highest level of academic honors
文法句型
graduate with honors
honors program
honor roll
用法筆記
Often used in the plural ('honors') to refer to a type of advanced course or degree program. 'With honors' describes the level of a degree (e.g., 'graduated with honors'). 'Honor roll' is a list of students with top grades, common in US high schools.
honor — verb
- honorpresent simple I / you / we / they
- honors3rd person singular
- honoring-ing form
- honoredpast simple
1. to feel and show deep respect for someone through your words or actions, often i
to feel and show deep respect for someone through your words or actions, often in a formal or public way
The village held a dinner to honor the teachers who had served for thirty years.
pattern: honor someone for + noun phrase
Isabela felt it was important to honor her grandparents by visiting them every weekend.
The monument was built to honor the soldiers who died defending their country.
Hamza tried to honor his father's wishes by taking over the family farm after graduation.
文法句型
honor someone for something
honor someone by doing something
honor someone with something
用法筆記
The object of the verb is a person or group. The reason for the honor is introduced by 'for' (honor someone for an achievement) or 'with' (honor someone with an event). Can also be followed by 'by' plus a gerund to describe the action that shows respect.
常見錯誤
2. to give someone an award, a prize, or public praise as a way of showing that the
to give someone an award, a prize, or public praise as a way of showing that their work or actions are highly valued
The company honored Nora with a special plaque for her twenty years of service.
pattern: honor someone with [award]
Each year the town honors one local citizen who has helped the community the most.
Ife was honored at a ceremony for her work on clean water systems in rural areas.
The museum honored the photographer by displaying his work in the main exhibition hall.
- ignore
to pay no attention to someone's achievement
文法句型
be honored with [award]
honor someone at [event]
用法筆記
Distinguish from sense 1 (PAY TRIBUTE): this sense always involves giving something concrete — an award, a title, a medal, or a formal public mention. Sense 1 can be purely symbolic or ceremonial. When in doubt: if a physical object changes hands, use sense 2.
常見錯誤
3. to accept a check, credit card, coupon, or other financial document as payment f
to accept a check, credit card, coupon, or other financial document as payment for goods or services
The restaurant does not honor personal checks, but it accepts all major credit cards.
pattern: honor a check / credit card (financial)
The store said they would honor the coupon even though it had expired last week.
Faisal asked the bank whether they would honor a check from a foreign institution.
The airline honored our tickets even after we missed the connecting flight due to delays.
文法句型
honor a check
honor a credit card
honor a coupon
用法筆記
Typically used for formal financial instruments (checks, credit cards, coupons, tickets). Not used for cash or informal payment methods. The subject is usually a business, bank, or institution, not a person.