honorable
gb/ˈɑnɚəbəl/ us/ˈɑnɚəbəl/
B1
English
~ 4800
Senses
0 senses
adjective
B1
property
1
Deserving respect for integrity
Being good, fair, and deserving respect.
Usage pattern:
an honorable [person/action/decision]
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'honorable' with 'honored'; 'honorable' describes someone's character, while 'honored' describes feeling respected or privileged.
Synonyms
respectable (Focuses on being regarded positively by others, sometimes more about reputation than moral principles.)
|
upright (Emphasizes strict adherence to moral standards.)
Antonyms
dishonorable (Lacking moral principles or acting in a way that causes shame.)
Collocations
honorable man
|honorable woman
|honorable mention
|honorable conduct
|honorable intentions
Themes
ethics
|character
|society
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She is known as an honorable leader who always puts her people first.
- He made an honorable decision to admit his mistake.
- It was an honorable act to return the lost wallet.
- They saw him as an honorable man of great integrity.
Learner examples
- She is an honorable person.
- He made an honorable choice.
- It was an honorable thing to help the old man.
- We think he is an honorable man.
adjective
formal
B2
property
2
Holding a respected position or title
Having a job or title that people respect.
Usage pattern:
the Honorable [Name]
Common mistake:
Learners may incorrectly use 'honorable' with common nouns; in this sense it is usually used as a formal title before a name.
Synonyms
distinguished (Suggests high status earned through achievements rather than just formal position.)
Antonyms
ordinary (Lacking any special rank or formal distinction.)
Collocations
the Honorable Judge
|the Honorable Senator
|the Honorable Member
Themes
titles
|government
|business
|work
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- We had the pleasure of meeting the Honorable Judge Ramirez.
- The Honorable Senator spoke about the new policy.
- Letters were addressed to the Honorable Mayor of the city.
Learner examples
- The Honorable Judge Smith will speak today.
- We met the Honorable Mayor.
- The Honorable Senator visited our school.
Grammar
Dictionary form
honorable
IPA
GB/ˈɑnɚəbəl/
US/ˈɑnɚəbəl/
Syllables & stress
hon - or - able (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (hon)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: honorable
Word family
Expressions
an honorable mention
1/ən ˈɑnɚəbəl mˈɛnʃən/
fixed phrase
Special praise without main award
When someone is praised for good work but does not win the top prize.
Examples
- Her poem received an honorable mention in the national contest.
- Several students got honorable mentions for their science projects.
do the honorable thing
1/dˈu ðə ˈɑnɚəbəl θˈɪŋ/
fixed phrase
Act in a morally right way
To make a choice that is fair and good, even if it is hard.
Examples
- He decided to do the honorable thing and confess.
- She knew she had to do the honorable thing and return the money.