honorary

honorary — adjective

1. Bestowed as a mark of respect without requiring the usual qualifications or proc

1.形容詞B2
釋義

Bestowed as a mark of respect without requiring the usual qualifications or procedures — for instance, a university presenting a degree to an author who did not attend the institution, or a municipality making an athlete an honorary citizen.

例句

The university gave Emily an honorary degree for her work in literature.

honorary degree — honour without study

Vivek was named an honorary citizen of the city after his years of public service.

honorary citizen — title given as honour

同義詞
  • titular

    Emphasises holding a title without the full responsibilities — often used for formal roles in organisations ('titular head of state').

  • ceremonial

    Focuses on the symbolic rather than practical aspect; can apply to actions and events, not just titles ('ceremonial opening').

  • symbolic

    Broader in meaning — can describe any gesture or act meant to represent something, not limited to honours.

反義詞
  • earned

    Gained through fulfilling the normal requirements ('earned degree').

  • substantive

    Having real duties and power ('substantive role').

文法句型

honorary + noun (degree, title, award, member, citizen)

用法筆記

Only used before a noun. The noun it modifies is typically something that would normally require qualifications, membership criteria, or formal election (degree, title, membership, citizenship).

常見錯誤

❌She received an honor degree from the college.
✅She received an honorary degree from the college.
💡'Honor' is a noun, not an adjective; the correct adjective form is 'honorary'.
❌He is an honorary doctor who treats patients at the clinic.
✅He received an honorary doctorate for his contributions to medicine.
💡'Honorary doctor' means a person given the title as an honour, not a medical professional working without pay.

2. Describing a role or position within an organization that a person holds without

2.形容詞B2
釋義

Describing a role or position within an organization that a person holds without receiving any payment — done as a contribution of time and skill rather than for a salary.

例句

Hoa works as the honorary treasurer for the local charity, donating her time each week.

honorary treasurer — unpaid role in an organisation

The committee appointed Shirin as honorary secretary at the annual general meeting.

同義詞
  • unpaid

    More direct and less formal; can describe any work done without payment, not just titled roles.

  • voluntary

    Emphasises the free choice to serve; broader in application than 'honorary'.

  • unsalaried

    Formal term used in business and legal contexts; interchangeable with 'unpaid' but more technical.

反義詞
  • paid

    Receiving a salary or wage for the position.

  • remunerated

    Formal term for receiving financial compensation.

文法句型

honorary + noun (position, role, secretary, treasurer, chair)

用法筆記

Common in official titles of organisations such as clubs, charities, and societies (honorary secretary, honorary treasurer, honorary chair). Often interchangeable with 'voluntary', but 'honorary' carries a more formal tone and is the standard term in institutional bylaws.

常見錯誤

❌She is an honorary worker at the hospital.
✅She is a volunteer at the hospital.' or 'She holds an honorary position at the hospital.
💡'Honorary' describes a titled position, not a general volunteer role.