honourable
/ˈɒn.ər.ə.bəl/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈɑnɚəbəl] /ˈɑː.nɚ.ə.bəl/ (ame, ipa)
honourable — adjective
- honourablepositive
- more honourablecomparative
- most honourablesuperlative
1. behaving in a way that is morally right and truthful, so that other people admir
behaving in a way that is morally right and truthful, so that other people admire and trust you
Xiu has always been an honourable person who keeps her word.
collocation: honourable person
It was very honourable of Tamar to admit that she had made a mistake.
structure: it is honourable of someone to do something
The scientist received an honourable mention for her research on clean water.
Serving in the medical corps during the war was considered an honourable calling.
- upright
strongly suggests strict moral correctness; slightly more formal
- principled
emphasises having a clear set of moral rules that guide behaviour
- ethical
focuses on professional or formal standards of right conduct
- respectable
describes someone respected by society, but does not necessarily imply deep moral integrity
- dishonourable
the direct opposite; behaving without moral integrity
- disgraceful
describes behaviour that brings shame; stronger in emotional tone
文法句型
honourable + noun
it is honourable of someone to do something
someone is honourable
用法筆記
This word carries a stronger moral tone than 'honest' and is typically used to describe a person's consistent character rather than a single act. It is more common in British English than in American English, where the spelling 'honorable' is used.
常見錯誤
2. a formal word used alongside a person's name to indicate a senior government pos
a formal word used alongside a person's name to indicate a senior government position, a high judicial office, or membership of the British nobility
The Honourable Indra Patel was appointed as a High Court judge last year.
title: the Honourable + name + role
Letters addressed to the Honourable Christopher Wong should be marked 'Private and Confidential'.
formal title for government officials
In Britain, younger children of earls use 'the Honourable' before their first name.
The Right Honourable Abigail Chen will address Parliament on the new education bill.
文法句型
the Honourable + [name] + [role]
the Right Honourable + [name] (for very senior officials)
用法筆記
This title is not a description of character — it is a formal courtesy title linked to a person's office or birth. In the UK, it can be abbreviated to 'the Hon.' in writing. Very senior officials, such as cabinet ministers and members of the Privy Council, use the title 'the Right Honourable'.