Dictionary
honorable
adjective hon·or·able \ˈä-nər-(ə-)bəl, ˈän-rə-\
: deserving honor and respect
: having or showing honesty and good moral character
: fair and proper : not deserving blame or criticism
Full Definition of HONORABLE
1
: deserving of honor
2
a : of great renown : illustrious b : entitled to honor —used as a title for the children of certain British noblemen and for various government officials
3
: performed or accompanied with marks of honor or respect
4
a : attesting to creditable conduct b : consistent with an untarnished reputation <an honorable withdrawal>
5
: characterized by integrity : guided by a high sense of honor and duty
— hon·or·abil·i·ty \ˌän-rə-ˈbi-lə-tē, ˌä-nə-\ noun
— hon·or·able·ness \ˈän-rə-bəl-nəs, ˈä-nə-\ noun
— hon·or·ably \-blē\ adverb
See honorable defined for English-language learners
See honorable defined for kids
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First Known Use of HONORABLE
14th century
Related to HONORABLE
- Synonyms
- decent, ethical, honest, just, noble, principled, respectable, righteous, stand-up, upright, upstanding
- Antonyms
- base, dishonest, dishonorable, ignoble, low, unethical, unjust, unprincipled, unrighteous, unworthy
Synonym Discussion of HONORABLE
upright, honest, just, conscientious, scrupulous, honorable mean having or showing a strict regard for what is morally right. upright implies a strict adherence to moral principles <a stern and upright minister>. honest stresses adherence to such virtues as truthfulness, candor, fairness <known for being honest in business dealings>. just stresses conscious choice and regular practice of what is right or equitable <workers given just compensation>. conscientious and scrupulous imply an active moral sense governing all one's actions and painstaking efforts to follow one's conscience <conscientious in the completion of her assignments> <scrupulous in carrying out the terms of the will>. honorable suggests a firm holding to codes of right behavior and the guidance of a high sense of honor and duty <a difficult but honorable decision>.
HONORABLY Defined for Kids
honorable
adjective hon·or·able \ˈä-nə-rə-bəl, ˈän-rə-bəl\
Definition of HONORABLE for Kids
1
: bringing about or deserving honor <It's an honorable achievement.>
2
: observing ideas of honor or reputation <They're seeking an honorable peace.>
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