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

honor

noun
 
 
/ˈɒnə(r)/
 
/ˈɑːnər/
(US English)
(also honour British English)
Use an, not a, before honor.Idioms
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  1.  
     [uncountable] great respect for somebody
    • the guest of honor (= the most important one)
    • the seat/place of honor (= given to the most important guest)
    • They stood in silence as a mark of honor to her.
    • do honor to somebody/something This biography does great honor to the poet's achievements.
  2.  
     [singular] something that you are very pleased or proud to do because people are showing you great respect synonym privilege (3)
    • It was a great honor to be invited here today.
    • It was my honor and privilege to be Helen's friend.
    • It is a great honor to represent my country at the Olympics.
    Topics Feelingsb2
  3.  
     [uncountable] the quality of knowing and doing what is morally right
    • a man of honor
    • a sense of honor
    • Proving his innocence has become a matter of honor.
    Topics Personal qualitiesb2
  4.  
     [uncountable] a good reputation; respect from other people
    • upholding the honor of your country
    • The family honor is at stake.
  5. [singular] honor to something/somebody a person or thing that causes others to respect and admire something/somebody
    • She is an honor to the profession.
  6. [countable] an award, official title, etc. given to somebody as a reward for something that they have done
    • to win the highest honor
    • She received nearly every honor bestowed upon a poet.
    • He was buried with full military honors (= with a special military service as a sign of respect).
    • He wears his scars like badges of honor (= rewards that you can see).
  7. [plural] (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 honors degree/course
    • a First Class Honors degree
    • (North American English) I took an honors class in English.
  8. honors, honours
     [plural]
    (abbreviation Hons)
    if you pass an exam or graduate from a university or school with honors, you receive a special grade for having achieved a very high standardTopics Educationc2
  9. His/Her/Your Honor
     [countable] a title of respect used when talking to or about a judge or a US mayor
    • No more questions, Your Honor.
  10. [countable, usually plural] the cards that have the highest value
Idioms
do somebody an honor | do somebody the honor (of doing something)
  1. (formal) to do something to make somebody feel very proud and pleased
    • Would you do me the honor of dining with me?
do the honors
  1. to perform a social duty or ceremony, such as pouring drinks, making a speech, etc.
    • Would you do the honors and draw the winning ticket?
have the honor of (doing) something
  1. (formal) to be given the opportunity to do something that makes you feel proud and happy
    • May I have the honor of the next dance?
    • She had the honor of being the first living artist to have her work exhibited in the Louvre.
    • I had the rare honor of being allowed into the artist's studio.
    • Max was given the dubious honor (= it may not really have made him feel proud and happy) of organizing the children's party.
(there is) honor among thieves
  1. (saying) used to say that even criminals have standards of behaviour that they respect
(feel) honor-bound to do something
  1. (formal) to feel that you must do something because of your sense of moral duty
    • He felt honor-bound to help her.
    compare duty-boundTopics Permission and obligationc2
the honors are even
  1. no particular person, team, etc. is doing better than the others in a competition, an argument, etc.
in honor of somebody/something | in somebody’s/something’s honor
  1. in order to show great respect for somebody/something
    • a ceremony in honor of those killed in the explosion
    • A banquet was held in her honor.
on your honor (old-fashioned)
  1. used to promise very seriously that you will do something or that something is true
    • I swear on my honor that I knew nothing about this.
  2. to be trusted to do something
    • You're on your honor not to go into my room.
a point of honor
  1. a thing that somebody considers to be very important for their honour or reputation
See honor in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: honor

Nearby words

trait
noun
 
 
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