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

honour

verb
 
/ˈɒnə(r)/
 
/ˈɑːnər/
(US English honor)
Verb Forms
present simple I / you / we / they honour
 
/ˈɒnə(r)/
 
/ˈɑːnər/
he / she / it honours
 
/ˈɒnəz/
 
/ˈɑːnərz/
past simple honoured
 
/ˈɒnəd/
 
/ˈɑːnərd/
past participle honoured
 
/ˈɒnəd/
 
/ˈɑːnərd/
-ing form honouring
 
/ˈɒnərɪŋ/
 
/ˈɑːnərɪŋ/
Idioms
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    show respect

  1. to do something that shows great respect for somebody/something
    • honour somebody/something our honoured guests
    • It was a simple ceremony to honour the Goddess of water.
    • Actors and musicians gathered to honour the memory of the late singer.
    • honour somebody with something The President honoured us with a personal visit.
    • (ironic) I'm glad to see that you've decided to honour us with your presence!
  2. give award

  3. [often passive] to give public praise, an award or a title to somebody for something they have done
    • be honoured She has never been properly honoured in her own country.
    • honour somebody/something with something He was honoured with nearly every prize in the ceramic field.
    • honour somebody/something for something They were honoured for their achievements over the past year.
    • honour somebody/something with something for something He has been honoured with a knighthood for his scientific work.
    • honour somebody/something as something The exhibition was honored as best show in a public space.
    • honour somebody/something by doing something The town has honoured his bravery by erecting a memorial.
    Extra Examples
    • The sculptor was honoured at a gala reception at the museum.
    • Tina Grey was honoured for her work teaching children about organic farming.
    • The Grammy-nominated composer is being honoured as Musicare's Person of the Year.
  4. keep promise

  5. honour something (formal) to do what you have agreed or promised to do
    • I have every intention of honouring our contract.
    • She is determined to honour her husband’s dying wish.
    • They have failed to honour the peace agreement.
    Extra Examples
    • The council could be forced to honour the contracts.
    • The bank refused to honour the cheque.
    Topics Discussion and agreementc2
  6. Word OriginMiddle English: from Old French onor (noun), onorer (verb), from Latin honos, honor.
Idioms
be/feel honoured (to do something)
  1. to feel proud and happy
    • I was honoured to have been mentioned in his speech.
    • ‘Would you be my best man?’ ‘I’d be honoured.’
See honour in the Oxford Learner's Dictionary of Academic English
trait
noun
 
 
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