honors

The quality of being honest and true to your principles — the inner strength to do what is right even when no one else is looking.

• integrity

  stresses consistency between principles and actions

• honesty

  narrower — focuses specifically on telling the truth

• principle

  refers to the moral rules themselves, not the quality of following them

• dishonesty

  the opposite of being truthful and fair

• corruption

  using power for personal gain in a dishonest way

A strong promise that other people can trust completely; your personal guarantee that you will definitely do something.

• pledge

  more formal and often written rather than spoken

• oath

  has legal or religious overtones; often sworn before a witness

• vow

  typically used for serious personal commitments like marriage

A special chance or experience that makes you feel proud and valued — for example, being chosen to give an important speech or to represent your country.

• privilege

  stresses exclusive access rather than the feeling of pride

• distinction

  more about being set apart from others as special

• disgrace

  an experience that brings shame rather than pride

• humiliation

  a deeply embarrassing or shaming experience

A person whose character or achievements make a group, family, or organization proud to be linked with them.

• credit

  used in 'a credit to [group]' — very similar meaning but less formal

• asset

  more about practical value; less about moral admiration

• pride

  used in 'the pride of [place]' — refers to a person a community is proud of

• disgrace

  a person who brings shame to their group

• embarrassment

  a person whose behavior makes others uncomfortable by association

A title, medal, prize, or other sign that shows someone has done very well — for example, a graduation prize, a military decoration, or first place in a competition.

• award

  more concrete — a physical prize or certificate given at a ceremony

• decoration

  specifically military; a medal worn on a uniform

• distinction

  often academic; e.g. 'graduated with distinction'

• accolade

  often verbal — public praise rather than a physical award

An advanced academic programme or class for students who perform well above the standard level, covering material in greater depth.

• accelerated programme

  focuses on faster pace rather than deeper study

• advanced placement course

  a US-specific term for college-level classes in high school

• enriched class

  less formal; suggests added material rather than a separate track

• regular course
• standard class

A formal ceremony or ritual performed to mark an important occasion, especially one showing respect for someone who has died.

• rites

  more general; can refer to any ceremonial act, not necessarily honoring someone

• obsequies

  specifically funeral rites; very formal and now rare

A physical movement such as a bow or curtsy made to show respect for someone of higher status.

• obeisance

  more formal and literary; suggests deep submission

• bow

  a simpler, more common word for the same physical action

• curtsy

  specifically a woman's or girl's gesture of bending the knees

A woman's reputation for remaining sexually pure before marriage, considered a mark of good character in traditional society.

• chastity

  more clinical or religious in tone; often used in moral or ecclesiastical contexts

• virtue

  broader; can refer to any moral excellence, not only sexual conduct

• purity

  more moralistic; emphasises innocence and cleanliness

The polite welcoming duties that a host performs for guests at a social event, such as greeting them and making introductions.

• courtesies

  simpler and less specific to hosting; can refer to any polite behaviour

• civilities

  emphasises polite words and formal manners rather than hosting actions

In bridge, the five highest cards of a suit — from ace down to ten — earn bonus points for the side that holds them.

• high cards

  more general; used in any card game, not restricted to bridge scoring

• court cards

  refers only to king, queen, and jack — not ace or ten

• low cards
• spot cards

  bridge term for cards below the ten

In golf, the right to take the first shot from the tee at the start of a hole, usually earned by winning the previous hole.